Physical activity and school recess time: Differences between the sexes and the relationship between children's playground physical activity and habitual physical activity

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2005

Authors

J. Mota (Author) FADEUP; P. Silva (Author) Other; M. P. Santos (Author) FADEUP; J. C. Ribeiro (Author) FADEUP; J. Oliveira (Author) FADEUP; J. A. Duarte (Author) FADEUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Sports Sciences

Vol. 23 No. 3

Pages: 269-275

ISSN: 0264-0414

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 88 Citations

Scopus - 97 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Social sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-4JF

DOI: 10.1080/02640410410001730124

Abstract (EN): The aims of this study were: (1) to observe participation in mode rate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during school recess periods; (2) to determine the relative importance of physical activity during recesses to overall daily physical activity,and (3) to examine differences in physical activity between the sexes during unstructured recess periods. The participants were 22 school children (10 boys, 12 girls) aged 8-10 years (mean = 8.9, s = 0.7) in the third and fourth grades. Daily totals for the physical activity variables were calculated by summing the values for each hour of 14 h of physical activity measurements (08:00 to 22:00 h). Recess times (minutes) were as follows: morning 10:30 to 11:00 h and afternoon 15:30 to 16:00 h. We did not differences between boys and girls in daily total accelerometer counts or the overall time spent in MVPA. However, girls were significantly (P < 0.05) more involved (38%) in MVPA during recess time than boys (31%). Participation in MVPA during recess contributes significantly more (P < 0.05) for girls (19%) than boys (15%) to the total amount of physical activity suggested by international health-related physical activity guidelines, while the percentage of time engaged in MVPA during recess time at school accounts for a small amount of the daily MVPA (6% for boys and 8% for girls). The results of this study suggest that school recess time is an important setting to promote MVPA and contributes to daily physical activity in young children, especially in girls.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7