The aim of this study was to determine the physical activity levels of a sample of young children. Data were collected using direct, continuous observation by trained observers. The observational method utilised a points system to differentiate intensity of physical activity. Observations were carried out during school break times, lunch times and physical education lessons and during free time outside of school. The sample consisted of 93 girls and 86 boys aged between 5 and 11 years. Only 38 children (21%) engaged in a sustained 20-min period of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), but nearly all children (95%) took part in a 5-min period of MVPA. The highest recordings of MVPA occurred during school break times but MVPA was less prominent during free time outside of school. One hundred and seventy eight children were observed during school physical education lessons. Sustained MVPA was particularly low during physical education lessons with only 13 children (8%) participating in at least one sustained 10-min period. There appeared to be no difference in activity levels between boys and girls or between children of differing ages. During all observation periods the main activity of the child was recorded. Soccer, brisk walking, general play and chasing games were the most common activities. The results are disturbing since preadolescent children appear to be engaging in very little sustained, playful physical activity during their free time outside of school. If childhood is considered to be the most active stage of life there must be concern for the future. There is a need for health professionals to promote active lifestyles from birth.
Given the commitment (and funding) by the British government to promote physical activity among all ages, and despite the inevitable political manipulation of physical education (PE) and school sport, there is now an ideal opportunity to focus on primary schools as a key target group for the future. This study determined the physical activity levels of a sample of pre-adolescents over time in a primary school setting. 374 children (5-11 yrs) were directly observed for a total of 30,650 minutes. Continuous observations of 374 primary PE lessons, 374 break times and 215 lunch times were undertaken between 1999 and 2004. The actual intensity and type of activities taking place were also recorded in five-minute blocks of time. The children were engaged in activity of at least moderate intensity for 11.8 percent of the total time observed, being more active in PE lessons and break times than in lunch times. Boys were shown to be more active than girls, recording activity of at least moderate intensity for 13 percent of total time compared to 10 percent for girls. Given the available data, the primary school is not delivering on its potential to be a good setting to promote physical activity.
Continuous observation of the physical activity of 56 preadolescent children was conducted in four regions of England from October 1988 to July 1989. Observations were undertaken during school break times, lunch times, and physical education lessons, as well as during the children's free time. Of total time observed, the children spent 32.4% of it engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Children were shown to be most active during school breaks and least active during free time at home. However, it is thought that cardiorespiratory benefits are best achieved by participation in sustained periods of MVPA. Only 8 (14%) of the 56 children were observed to participate in MVPA for sustained periods of 20 min or longer. A random sample of 55 physical education lessons was observed. Only 6 children engaged in MVPA for sustained periods of 5 min or more, and no children participated in MVPA for 10 min or longer. The implications of these results are that, although the children engaged in a reasonable amount of MVPA, it may not have been sustained for periods of sufficient length to produce a cardiovascular training response. Consideration is given to ways of promoting lifelong involvement in physical activity.
Information was collected in relation to 1133 children, aged 4-11 years, regarding methods of travel to and from school, together with distances involved. Ninety-seven per cent of the children walked, travelled by car or alternated between these 2 methods of travel. Some 584 children (51.5%) walked to school every day with an average one-way-distance of less than half a mile. It would seem therefore that few primary school children are walking far enough to gain heart health benefits from their journeys to school. Reasons are given, however, as to why it is important for young children to be encouraged to walk to school providing adequate safety considerations are taken into account.
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