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Objectively Assessed Physical Activity of Preschool-Aged Children from Urban Areas
Jarosław Herbert1, Piotr Matłosz1, Justyna Lenik1
1Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Medical College, University of Rzeszów, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland.
Insights
This study measured physical activity in Polish preschoolers using accelerometers. Results reveal differences in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) between boys and girls, enhancing PA knowledge in Europe.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Limited data exists on the daily physical activity (PA) levels of preschool-aged children in Poland.
- Accelerometer-based monitoring offers a reliable yet feasible method for assessing daily PA.
- Understanding PA in early childhood is crucial for establishing lifelong healthy habits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the physical activity levels of Polish preschool children (aged 5-6).
- To analyze physical activity based on the moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) index and step count.
- To identify potential differences in physical activity between genders.
Main Methods:
- Utilized accelerometry (ActiGraph) to assess physical activity in 371 preschool children over seven days.
- Employed Shapiro-Wilk test for normality assessment.
- Applied Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test for significance testing.
Main Results:
- Preschool children averaged 5.4 years of age.
- Significant differences in the MVPA index were observed between boys and girls.
- The findings contribute valuable data to the understanding of PA in European children.
Conclusions:
- This research provides novel insights into the physical activity patterns of preschool children in Poland.
- Promoting active lifestyles among young children should be a key public health priority.
- Further research can build upon these findings to develop targeted interventions.
Abstract:
Little is known about physical activity (PA) of preschool-age children in Poland through the course of the day. PA monitoring using an accelerometer increases the reliability of measuring daily PA levels and offers a reasonable compromise between accuracy and feasibility of measurement. The aim of the study was to determine the level of physical activity of preschool children (aged 5-6) on the basis of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) index and the number of steps. The physical activity of preschool children was assessed using accelerometery (ActiGraph) in 371 children for up to seven days. The normality of distribution was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to assess the significance of differences. The study group children had an average age of 5.4 years (± 0.6). Boys and girls showed a different level of MVPA index. The results significantly improve the current knowledge of PA in Europe. Promoting active lifestyles in children should be one of the health priorities in developed countries.
