Space, body, time and relationship experiences of recess physical activity: a qualitative case study among the least physical active schoolchildren

Abstract

BackgroundIncreasing recess physical activity has been the aim of several interventions, as this setting can provide numerous physical activity opportunities. However, it is unclear if these interventions are equally effective for all children, or if they only appeal to children who are already physically active. This study was conducted to explore the least physically active children’s “lived experiences” within four existential lifeworlds linked to physical activity during recess: space, body, time, and relations.MethodsThe study builds on ethnographic fieldwork in a public school in Denmark using a combination of participatory photo interviews and participant observation. Thirty-seven grade five children (11–12 years old) were grouped in quartiles based on their objectively measured daily physical activity levels. Eight children in the lowest activity quartile (six girls) were selected to participate in the study. To avoid stigmatising and to make generalisations more reliable we further recruited eight children from the two highest activity quartiles (four girls) to participate.ResultsAn analysis of the least physically active children’s “lived experiences” of space, body, time and relations revealed several key factors influencing their recess physical activity: perceived classroom safety, indoor cosiness, lack of attractive outdoor facilities, bodily dissatisfaction, bodily complaints, tiredness, feeling bored, and peer influence.ConclusionWe found that the four existential lifeworlds provided an in-depth understanding of the least physically active children’s “lived experiences” of recess physical activity. Our findings imply that specific intervention strategies might be needed to increase the least physically active children’s physical activity level. For example, rethinking the classroom as a space for physical activity, designing schoolyards with smaller secluded spaces and varied facilities, improving children’s self-esteem and body image, e.g., during physical education, and creating teacher organised play activities during recess.

Are children participating in a quasi-experimental education outside the classroom intervention more physically active?

“…Similarly, a qualitative study of lived experiences set within an intervention aiming to increase PA during recess, concluded that the least active children increased recess PA through the inclusion of teacher-led play, but not free play [39]. Generally, boys’ motivation for engaging in PA is intrinsic and girls’ to a larger extent driven by both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation [40].…”

Physicochemical parameters affecting the perception of borehole water quality in Ghana

“…Furthermore, the results demonstrated that complaints start at levels below the WHO guidelines for these parameters. Prior research in the Eastern Region suggests that groundwater sources are underutilized in part due to these WQ problems (Kosinski et al, 2016; Kulinkina et al, 2016). Undesirable organoleptic characteristics of groundwater from BHs are also likely linked to consumption of microbiologically and chemically contaminated surface water (Kulinkina et al, 2017), which can lead to substantial detrimental public health impacts.…”

“…Interestingly, Atiwa District also has a high rate of improved water access in terms of the number of water sources per population (Kulinkina et al, 2017), potentially as a result of having to drill more BHs to find acceptable water quality. Despite this, surface water is highly preferred and extensively used in some communities (Kosinski et al, 2016), a particularly unsafe practice in the presence of gold mining activities. While the extremely high turbidity levels from several years of mining pollution have rendered the Birim River unusable, mining activities are beginning to affect many of its tributaries that are still used for drinking, cooking, and laundry.…”

“…Unfortunately, high levels of minerals and metals in groundwater may preclude extensive exploitation of some of these water sources (Awuah et al, 2009; Rached et al, 1996; Siabi, 2003). In the Eastern Region, drilling records indicate that 20–30% of rural BHs have iron and manganese concentrations well in excess of the WHO water quality (WQ) guidelines (0.3 mg/L and 0.1 mg/L, respectively) (Siabi, 2003; WHO, 2011), causing them to be abandoned or marginally used (Kosinski et al, 2016; Siabi, 2004). …”

Vagal Regulation of Cardiac Function in Early Childhood and Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescence

“…Four hundred and forty-seven participants were initially recruited at two years of age through childcare centers, the County Health Department, and the local Women, Infants, and Children program. Additional details about sample recruitment and the adolescent health assessments may be found elsewhere (43, 44). The recruitment sample was diverse; 62.9% of the children were European American, 32.4% African American, 3.3% biracial, and 1.4% of other race/ethnicity.…”