Primary school children's health-enhancing physical activity patterns: the school as a significant environment?

Abstract

The moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of 70 children (age 8.6 years; 40 boys) was measured and gender and age differences were compared. Boys spent 28 minutes per day more than girls in MVPA (p=0.02, d=0.54), and younger children accumulated 24 minutes more MVPA than older peers (p=0.0001, d=0.91). Similar gender and age-related trends were apparent during segmented periods of the day. The majority of daily MVPA was accrued during school-related time (56.4±9.1%; p=0.0001, d=1.57). The findings reinforce the significance of schools as key environments for MVPA participation and promotion.

Keywords:

• physical activity
• school
• age
• gender

Notes

1. MVPA is commonly described on a continuum from activities which require at least as much effort as brisk walking, through to more vigorous activities, such as jogging, swimming, sports and so forth.

2. Statistical significance means that there is statistical evidence of a systematic difference between mean values that did not occur by chance.

3. An effect size helps to determine whether a statistically significant difference between mean values is a difference that is meaningful in practice (for example, a meaningful difference in MVPA may be of benefit from a health perspective by contributing to reduced body fat, blood pressure and so on).