Citation

Ridgers ND, Saint-Maurice PF, Welk GJ, Siahpush M, Huberty JL. J. Sch. Health 2011; 81(9): 545-551.

Affiliation

Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow, (nicky.ridgers@deakin.edu.au), Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia. PhD Student in Health Promotion, (pedrosm@iastate.edu), Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, 235 Forker Building, Ames, IA 50011. Associate Professor, (gwelk@mail.iastate.edu), Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, 235 Forker Building, Ames, IA 50011. Professor of Health Promotion, (msiahpush@unmc.edu), Department of Health Promotion, Social and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986075 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6075. Associate Professor, (jenniferwhite@mail.unomaha.edu), Physical Activity in Health Promotion, Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department, University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68182.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American School Health Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1746-1561.2011.00625.x

PMID

21831067

Abstract

BACKGROUND: School recess provides a daily opportunity for physical activity engagement. The purpose of this study was to examine physical activity levels during recess by gender, ethnicity, and grade, and establish the contribution of recess to daily school physical activity levels. METHODS: Two hundred and ten children (45% boys) from grades 3 to 6 in 4 elementary schools had their physical activity during school quantified using uni-axial accelerometry every 5 seconds for 5 consecutive school days. Data were collected in fall 2009. The proportion of time spent engaged in physical activity during daily school recess was determined using existing age-appropriate cutpoints. The relative contribution of recess to school day physical activity was also determined. RESULTS: Boys were more active than girls during recess. Girls engaged in more sedentary activity than boys. No main effects for ethnicity were observed. Children in grades 3 and 5 were more active than children in grades 4 and 6. Recess contributed 17.9% and 15.5% toward boys' and girls' school day moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, respectively. CONCLUSION: Children engaged in physical activity during recess, though interventions may be needed to increase the intensity of activity in this context.

Language: en