Comparison of Fourth Grade Students' Out-of-School Physical Activity Levels and Choices by Gender: Project SPARK

Abstract

This study examined fourth grade boys' (n = 669) and girls' (n = 595) out-of-school physical activity levels and choices. The sample included 98 percent of eligible students in seven California schools. On two one-day recalls, students reported their out-of-school physical activities for the prior weekday and weekend day by checking which of 20 activities they did for at least 15 minutes. On separate forms, students identified their frequency of participation in the same 20 activities as well as classes, camps, sports, household chores, and television and video viewing during the previous summer. Activities were classified as low, medium, or high-intensity and as individual or team/dual. Independent t tests for intensity levels indicated that there were no significant differences on one-day recalls between girls and boys overall activity (MET value) or high-intensity physical activities. In addition, the three activities most frequently participated in did not differ by genders and two of the three were high-intensity activities. However, girls more frequently selected low-intensity activities, and boys more often selected medium-intensity activities (all p < .001). Fisher's exact tests revealed significant relationships between gender and activity choices, with girls more often participating in individual activities such as gymnastics, jump rope, and dancing and boys more often participating in team activities such as baseball, football, and basketball. Although children's overall activity levels and most frequently selected activities did not differ by gender, closer analyses support the notion that gender continues to be a strong determinant of children's out-of-school physical activity choices.