Can young children make active choices? Outcomes of a feasibility trial in seven‐year‐old children

Abstract

This project evaluated the feasibility of a child‐centred 24‐week physical activity intervention. The Play5 strategy encourages children to choose to play vigorously five times a day for about as long as school recess. The seven‐year‐old children were randomised to control (n = 176) or intervention groups (n = 132). Data were collected at baseline and post‐intervention. Programme evaluation included parent questionnaire, teacher records and a seven‐day pedometer record with a sub‐sample of children. The programme was successful in increasing vigorous activity (p = 0.04), but did not impact on moderate or sedentary activities. Young children were able to choose to be active without parent or teacher direction.

Keywords:

• children
• physical activity
• intervention
• Play5
• MVPA
• play

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the Telstra Foundation for funding this project.