Effects of Generalization of Engagement in Parkour from Physical Education to Recess on Physical Activity

To investigate the effect of generalization of engagement in parkour from physical education (PE) to organized and supervised recess on voluntary participation and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).

Children received a 6-day parkour unit in PE and every two lessons they could voluntarily participate in 20-min parkour recess. Fourteen elementary school classes constituting 281 children (8-10 years old) and 16 PE teachers were randomized to either three supervised or three organized parkour recess sessions. During supervised recess, PE teachers supervised to ensure safety, and children could play freely on the parkour landscape. During organized recess, PE teachers provided instructional tasks as well as supervision for safety on the parkour landscape. The parkour landscape in the gymnasium was identical in both recess conditions and similar to previous parkour landscape in PE. Participation and MVPA were measured using systematic observation.

Significantly more children from organized compared to supervised recess participated in all three sessions (60% vs. 43%, p = .008, V = .16). Children showed significantly less sedentary behavior (24% vs. 30%, p = .013, η² = .063) and more MVPA (76% vs. 70%, p = .012, η² = .066) during organized compared to supervised recess. The proportion of total MVPA spent doing parkour was significantly higher in organized compared to supervised recess for low- (36% vs. 24%, p = .005, η² = .082) and high-skilled children (33% vs. 26%, p = .034, η² = .048).

Generalization of engagement in parkour was higher in organized compared to supervised recess.