@article{ref1,
title="An observational assessment of physical activity levels and social behavior during residential summer camp unstructured time",
journal="American journal of health promotion",
year="2020",
author="Wahl-Alexander, Zachary and Morehead, Craig A.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="PURPOSE: To evaluate children's physical activity (PA) levels, social play behavior, activity time, and social interactions during unstructured time. APPROACH: Systematic observation tool to record child's PA level, social group size, activity type, and social interaction during play. SETTING: Northeast US residential summer camp, pseudonym Forest Hills Camp. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-nine third-grade campers (27 males and 32 females). <br><br>METHOD: Observational data were obtained using the System for Observing Children's Activity and Relationships during Play (SOCARP). Data were analyzed using independent samples <i>t</i> tests (with Bonferroni adjustment) to assess statistical differences between boys and girls SOCARP categories. <br><br>RESULTS: Both boys and girls spend over 50% of their time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Statistically significant differences between genders were observed: activity level-(a) girls sat more than boys, and (2) boys engaged in more vigorous activity; activity type-(1) boys engaged in more sport activity, girls engaged in more locomotion activity, and girls were more sedentary; and social interactions-(1) boys had more physical conflict, and (2) boys had more verbal conflict. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Contrary to previous research suggesting that summer campers have increased sedentary behavior during unstructured time, our results indicate that third-grade campers engaged in MVPA over 50% of their unstructured time. This suggests that unstructured time in outdoor camp settings may provide valuable opportunities for adolescent children to choose PA.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0890-1171",
doi="10.1177/0890117119897191",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0890117119897191"
}