Activating schoolyards: study design of a quasi-experimental schoolyard intervention study

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of the Activating Schoolyards Study is to develop, implement, document and assess a comprehensive schoolyard intervention to promote physical activity (PA) during school recess for primary school children (grade 4-8). The intervention is designed to implement organizational and structural changes in the physical environment.MethodThe study builds on a quasi-experimental study design using a mixed method approach including: 1) an exploratory study aimed at providing input for the developing process; 2) an evaluation of the effect of the interventions using a combination of accelerometer, GPS and GIS; 3) a process evaluation facilitating the intervention development process and identifying barriers and facilitators in the implementation process; 4) a post-intervention end-user evaluation aimed at exploring who uses the schoolyards and how the schoolyards are used. The seven project schools (cases) were selected by means of an open competition and the interventions were developed using a participatory bottom-up approach.DiscussionThe participatory approach and case selection strategy make the study design novel. The use of a mixed methods design including qualitative as well as quantitative methods can be seen as a strength, as the different types of data complement each other and results of one part of the study informed the following parts. A unique aspect of our study is the use of accelerometers in combination with GPS and GIS in the effect evaluation to objectively determine where and how active the students are in the schoolyard, before and after the intervention. This provides a type of data that, to our knowledge, has not been used before in schoolyard interventions. Exploring the change in behavior in relation to specific intervention elements in the schoolyard will lead to recommendations for schools undergoing schoolyard renovations at some point in the future.

Schoolyard Characteristics, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behavior: Combining GPS and Accelerometry

“…However, no study has previously examined the association between specific schoolyard characteristics and SB. Despite lacking evidence of schoolyard characteristics in SB, the need for intervening on SB at the schoolyard gains attention …”

“…Scientific studies based on time periods (using the school's timetables) might find associations between children's PA levels and the schoolyard environment, whereas it is not certain whether the child was actually at the schoolyard. Combining the use of accelerometers to objectively measure PA with location information from the global positioning system (GPS) may prevent this possible error, making it a suitable method to evaluate the influence of the built environment on behavior …”

“…Despite lacking evidence of schoolyard characteristics in SB, the need for intervening on SB at the schoolyard gains attention. 34 One explanation for the mixed and/or unspecific results with regard to correlates of PA in schoolyards could be the quality of assessment of the schoolyard environment and the method used to assess PA levels. 35 In general, objectively assessed PA is more accurate and sensitive than self-report methods, in which PA is often overestimated and SB is underestimated.…”

“…Combining the use of accelerometers to objectively measure PA with location information from the global positioning system (GPS) may prevent this possible error, making it a suitable method to evaluate the influence of the built environment on behavior. 34,37 Our aim was to investigate the influence of schoolyard characteristics on MVPA and SB of children aged 8-11 years at schoolyards, using children's objectively assessed PA levels as well as their objectively GPS-defined locations. We also explored whether correlates of MVPA and SB differed for morning recess, afternoon recess, and out-of-school time at the schoolyard.…”

Stemmer fra skolegården: En artikel om at skabe fysisk aktivitet i frikvarteret ud fra et børneperspektiv

“…Mine undersøgelser knytter sig til interventionsprojektet Drøn på Skolegården, som har til formål at fremme fysisk aktivitet i frikvarteret primaert blandt de mindst fysisk aktive børn (Andersen et al, 2015). Mine fund, som er beskrevet nedenfor, blev brugt i planlaegningen af aktivitetsfremmende interventioner.…”