The effects of warm weather on children’s outdoor heat stress and physical activity in a preschool yard in Gothenburg, Sweden

Abstract

Hot weather conditions can have negative impacts on the thermal comfort and physical activity of vulnerable groups such as children. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of warm weather on 5-year-old children’s thermal comfort and physical activity in a preschool yard in Gothenburg, Sweden. In situ measurements were conducted for 1–1.5 h in the early afternoon on 8 days in May, June, and August of 2022. The thermal comfort and physical activity was estimated with GPS-tracks, heart rate monitors, and step counts and compared to observed weather conditions. Results show that physical activity decreases under warmer weather conditions, depicted by a decrease in distance moved, step counts, and highest registered pulse. Moreover, on warm days, the children avoid sunlit areas. For 50% or more of the time spent in sunlit areas, the children are exposed to cautious levels of heat. In shaded areas, on the other hand, the children are less exposed, with five out of 8 days having 50% or more of the time at neutral levels. The study demonstrates the importance of access to shaded areas in preschool yards where children can continue their active play while simultaneously maintaining a safe thermal status.

International study of 24‐h movement behaviors of the early years (SUNRISE): A pilot study from Iran

“…Hot weather conditions can negatively influence physical activity of vulnerable groups such as children. Wallenberg et al (2023) reported that physical activity decreased under warmer weather conditions and in the summer months compared with cooler months (Wallenberg et al, 2023). Fan et al, (2023) found that hourly temperatures above 30°C and 35°C reduced outdoor activities by 5% and 13%, respectively (Fan et al, 2023).…”

Assessment of Outdoor Thermal Comfort in a Hot Summer Region of Europe

“…He also indicated that there is a high correlation between the radiant temperature and thermal comfort. In [22], Wallenberg investigated the thermal comfort of five-year-old children in a pre-school playground. Wallenberg concluded that on days of high solar incidence, children avoid going out in the playground for activities, and on days when they do go out, they avoid sunny areas.…”

“…Other outdoor thermal studies were carried out in arid and dry climate cities [18] and in a slightly hot summer [22]. According to Peel [44], the city of Cordoba (Spain) is representative of many climatic zones in southern Europe, as in [20] and similar in [21,23,25,26].…”

“…Previous outdoor thermal comfort studies were carried out using a simulation through Envi-Met software [18] or using meteorological data measured by a stationary weather station [20][21][22][23]25,26] located far away from the city center. In contrast, in this experimental study, data were measured in situ on a tourist route using a mobile measurement pole to register a complete set of climatic variables, as in [23].…”