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Increasing children's physical activity levels
during recess periods in elementary schools: The effects of providing
game equipment.
Stefanie J. M. Verstraete, Greet M. Cardon, Dirk L. R. De Clercq, Ilse M. M. De Bourdeaudhuij. European Journal of Public Health, 16 (4), 415-419 (2006).
Target Group: Elementary School Age children, both boys and girls.
Program Name: N/A
Location: Belgium
Study Objective:
- The aim of the present study was to
investigate the effects of providing game equipment on children's
physical activity levels during morning recess and lunch break in
elementary schools
Study Design: Randomized Control Trial. Pre and post test physical activity measurements using accelerometers.
Intervention or Program:
- Seven schools were randomly assigned to either control or intervention groups.
- In both groups, no organized activities were conducted at recess or at lunch break during the intervention.
- Each class group in the intervention group
received a set of game equipment and ‘activity cards' including examples
of games and activities that could be performed with the equipment.
Children were allowed to play outdoors with the equipment during recess
and lunch breaks. Before providing the game equipment, the different
play toys and ‘activity cards' were presented to the children of each
class group by a research staff member. The teachers were asked to
stimulate the children to play with the game equipment. The teachers
agreed on rules with the children about the use and the loss or damage
of the game equipment to assure its endurance.
- The teachers were also advised to divide the
game equipment into different sets and to exchange those sets regularly
to prevent children from losing interest in the equipment. Children
were only allowed to play with the equipment of their own class. This
made it easier for the teacher to control the equipment and to solve
problems (e.g. when children quarrelled about the material).
- The set of game
equipment for each class group included two jump ropes, two double dutch
ropes, two scoop sets, two flying discs, two catchballs, one poco bal,
one plastic bal, two plastic hoops, two super grips, three juggling
scarves, six juggling rings, six juggling beanballs, one diabolo, one
angel-stick, four spinning plates, two sets of badminton racquets and
two sets of oversized beach paddles.
Impact on Physical Activity:
- At morning recess, providing game equipment
was effective in increasing children's moderate physical activity (from
41 to 45%), while it decreased in the control group (from 41 to 34%).
- During lunch break, children's moderate and
vigorous physical activity significantly increased in the intervention
group (moderate: from 38 to 50%, vigorous: from 10 to 11%), while it
decreased in the control group (moderate: from 44 to 39%, vigorous: from
11 to 5%).
Implications for Practitioners:
- Minimal staffing and equipment investment was required for this physical activity program.
Author's Email: Stefanie Verstraete Stefanie.Verstraete@Ugent.be
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