An Examination of the Activity Patterns of Elementary School Children

Research has suggested a trend of decreasing activity with age necessitating a renewed emphasis on promoting physical activity for children. The purpose of this study was to assess current physical activity levels of children and to establish initial standards for comparison in determining appropriate activity levels of children based on pedometer counts. Children, 6–12 years old (N = 711), wore sealed pedometers for 4 consecutive days. Mean step counts ranged from 10,479–11,274 and 12300–13989 for girls and boys respectively. Factorial ANOVA found a significant difference between sex (F = 90.16, p < .01) but not among age (F = 0.78, p = .587). Great individual variability existed among children of the same sex. Further analysis found significant differences among children of the same sex above the 80th percentile and below the 20th percentile. A reasonable activity standard might be approximately 11,000 and 13,000 steps per day for girls and boys respectively, although further discussion of this is warranted. The descriptive nature of this study provides insights into the activity patterns of children and the mean step counts for boys and girls at each age can serve as a preliminary guide for determining meaningful activity levels for children based on pedometer counts.

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Measuring Children’s Activity Levels: The Association Between Step-Counts and Activity Time

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.3.2.221 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 221-229 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Aaron Beighle ◽

Robert P. Pangrazi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Strong Association ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Activity Time ◽

Free Living ◽

Step Counts ◽

Steps Per Day

Background:The primary purpose of this study was to describe the association between activity time and step counts in children.Methods:Subjects were 590 students (334 girls, 256 boys) with each gender having a mean age of 9.2 ± 1.8 y. All subjects wore the Walk4Life 2505 pedometer for four consecutive weekdays. This pedometer simultaneously measures both step counts and activity time.Results:Boys accumulated significantly more minutes of activity time/day (140.9 ± 39.6 vs. 126.3 ± 38.1), steps/day (13,348 ± 4131 vs. 11,702 ± 3923), and steps per min (93.99 ± 5.8 vs. 91.85 ± 5.8) than girls (P < 0.001) Steps/day was a significant predictor of activity time/day (P < 0.0001).Conclusions:Boys accumulate more steps per day and more activity time per day than girls. There is a strong association between steps per day and activity time in children. Daily steps per minute as a measure of free living physical activity in children is explored

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Risk Factors for Physical Inactivity Among Children With and Without Asthma Living in Peri-Urban Communities of Lima, Peru

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2019-0553 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (8) ◽

pp. 816-822

Author(s):

Sathvik Namburar ◽

William Checkley ◽

Oscar Flores-Flores ◽

Karina M. Romero ◽

Katherine Tomaino Fraser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Urban Communities ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Special Focus ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Steps Per Day ◽

Demographic Risk

Background: The authors sought to examine physical activity patterns among children with and without asthma in 2 peri-urban communities in Lima, Peru, to identify socioeconomic and demographic risk factors for physical inactivity and examine the relationship between asthma and physical activity. Methods: The authors measured mean steps per day in 114 children (49 with asthma and 65 without) using pedometers worn over a 1-week period. They also used the 3-day physical activity recall to determine the most common activities carried out by children. Results: The authors found that 84.2% of the children did not meet the daily international physical activity recommendations. Girls took significantly fewer mean steps per day as compared with boys (2258 fewer steps, 95% confidence interval, 1042–3474), but no other factors, including asthma status, showed significant differences in the mean daily steps. Mean daily steps were positively associated with higher socioeconomic status among girls, and current asthma had a larger inverse effect on daily steps in boys when compared with girls. Conclusion: Physical activity levels were below recommended guidelines in all children. There is a need for policy and neighborhood-level interventions to address low physical activity levels among Peruvian youth. Special focus should be given to increasing the physical activity levels in girls.

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Association between physical activity patterns and sarcopenia in Arab men

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/0300060520918694 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 030006052091869 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shaea Alkahtani ◽

Osama Aljuhani ◽

Maha Alhussain ◽

Syed Shahid Habib

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Activity Patterns ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Arab Men

Objective In this study, we aimed to examine the association between physical activity patterns and sarcopenia in Arab men. Methods This cross-sectional study included 363 men (47.7 ± 15.4 years). We analyzed appendicular lean mass (ALM), handgrip strength test, and physical activity levels. ALM divided by height (meters) squared was calculated (ALM/Ht 2 ), and participants with −1 and −2 standard deviations below the sex-specific mean for Saudi young adults were considered to have sarcopenia class I and class II, respectively. Independent t-tests, analysis of variance, and Mann–Whitney U tests were performed to determine mean and median differences. Results We observed a significant difference between participants with and without sarcopenia in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA); the correlation between ALM/H2 and MVPA was borderline significant. With a 1-hour/week increase in MVPA, ALM/Ht 2 increased by 0.30 kg/m2. Total and ALM, handgrip strength, and MVPA were significantly lower in participants age >60 years; fat mass and waist circumference were unchanged as compared with middle-aged participants. Conclusions We identified an association between time spent in recreational MVPA and lean muscle mass among Arab men. Future studies should examine the role of MVPA training programs on muscle mass and strength in older men.

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Prediction of Optimal Daily Step Count Achievement from Segmented School Physical Activity

Advances in Public Health ◽

10.1155/2015/496248 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ryan D. Burns ◽

Timothy A. Brusseau ◽

James C. Hannon

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Step Count ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Daily Step ◽

Step Counts ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Daily Step Count ◽

Generalized Linear Mixed Effects ◽

Predictive Relationship

Optimizing physical activity in childhood is needed for prevention of disease and for healthy social and psychological development. There is limited research examining how segmented school physical activity patterns relate to a child achieving optimal physical activity levels. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive relationship between step counts during specific school segments and achieving optimal school (6,000 steps/day) and daily (12,000 steps/day) step counts in children. Participants included 1,714 school-aged children (mean age =9.7±1.0years) recruited across six elementary schools. Physical activity was monitored for one week using pedometers. Generalized linear mixed effects models were used to determine the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of achieving both school and daily step count standards for every 1,000 steps taken during each school segment. The school segment that related in strongest way to a student achieving 6,000 steps during school hours was afternoon recess (OR = 40.03;P<0.001) and for achieving 12,000 steps for the entire day was lunch recess (OR = 5.03;P<0.001). School segments including lunch and afternoon recess play an important role for optimizing daily physical activity in children.

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Sex-Specific Physical Activity Patterns Differentiate Weight Loss Maintainers From Regainers: The MedWeight Study

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2019-0407 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 225-229

Author(s):

Dimitrios Poulimeneas ◽

Maria I. Maraki ◽

Eleni Karfopoulou ◽

Yannis Koutras ◽

Stavrie Chrysostomou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Short Version ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Same Sex ◽

Physically Active ◽

Activity Intensity ◽

Weight History ◽

Successful Weight Loss

Background: Although plenty of evidence indicates that weight loss maintainers are highly physically active, studies focusing on the sex-specific differences in activity levels between maintainers and regainers are scarce. The authors aimed to investigate sex-specific differences in activity patterns in a cohort of Mediterranean maintainers and regainers. Methods: Sample includes 756 participants of the MedWeight registry (60.5% women), aged 18–65 years, who lost ≥10% of their initial weight, and either maintained their loss for ≥12 months or regained it. Participants completed a series of questionnaires, including demographics and weight history. Activity levels were evaluated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short version. Results: Maintainers of both sexes were, in total, more active than their same-sex regainers. When specific activities were considered, women maintainers spent more time walking than regainers (Padjusted = .02), whereas men maintainers spent more time in vigorous activities (Padjusted = .001) and walking than regainers (Padjusted = .001). Modest increments in activity of sex-relevant intensity were associated with increased odds for maintenance. Conclusions: Maintainers attained a more active lifestyle than their same-sex regainers, involving more walking for both sexes and more vigorous activities for men. The detected differences, according to activity intensity, support that activity patterns associated with successful weight loss are distinguishable between sexes.

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LiNK: The Role Gender Plays in Recess Activity Levels throughout the School Day

The Boller Review ◽

10.18776/tcu/br/2/65 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Diana Schwene ◽

Class of 2017

Keyword(s):

Activity Patterns ◽

Control School ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Step Counts ◽

Significant Difference ◽

School Day ◽

Males And Females ◽

Grade One ◽

Unstructured Play ◽

The Impact

The purpose of this research study was to focus on the physical activity differences during recess of grade one children. This study compared activity levels of grade one males and females during each of four unstructured recess times, scheduled at fifteen minutes each, and determined the activity patterns of children during each of these recess time periods. The results showed no significant differences for either category of data measured. The data categories included total recess step counts by day and total step counts for gender for each recess. The lack of significant difference supports the effectiveness of unstructured play over structured play in the recess setting. Unstructured play is a key aspect of the LiiNK project and the data shows that without balls to enable sporting behaviors and high adult intervention in play, both genders exhibit similar numbers of steps. It will be important to look at the differences between the intervention school results that were found in this study versus the recordings taken in a control school to further explore the impact of the LiiNK project as a whole.

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The Impact of Isolation Due to COVID-19 on Physical Activity Levels in Adult Students

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13020446 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 446

Author(s):

Anna Rutkowska ◽

Katarzyna Kacperak ◽

Sebastian Rutkowski ◽

Luisa Cacciante ◽

Pawel Kiper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Adult Students ◽

International Physical Activity Questionnaire ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Metabolic Equivalent ◽

Free Mobility ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Sport And Recreation ◽

The Impact ◽

Activity Questionnaire

The lockdown with a prohibition of free mobility introduced in many countries has affected restrictions in physical activity (PA). The purpose of the study was to compare PA during restrictions and the “unfreezing” stage. The study group consisted of 89 healthy adult students. To assess the level of PA, a long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used. The first evaluation was carried out in the period from 16 to 20 April 2020 at the time of the lockdown and the second in the period from 11 to 14 May 2020 during the so-called “unfreezing”. The average total PA rate during the first measurement was 8640 metabolic equivalent (MET)-min/week and in the second, 10,560 MET-min/week. The analysis of total energy expenditure showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.029). The establishment of “unfreezing” laws for sport and recreation and the reduction of restrictions have significantly contributed to an increase in the overall level of PA. Based on our outcomes, we recommend students follow the scientific guidelines for undertaking PA (i.e., WHO) during the pandemic in order to maintain an appropriate pro-healthy dose of exercise.

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Pedestrian Activity Among California Adults

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.6.1.15 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 15-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Anna E. Mathews ◽

Natalie Colabianchi ◽

Brent Hutto ◽

Delores M. Pluto ◽

Steve P. Hooker

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Public Health Agencies ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Health Agencies ◽

Random Digit Dial

Background:The objectives of this study were to assess (1) pedestrian activity levels among adults, (2) where and why adults engage in pedestrian activity, and (3) what adults consider when deciding where to engage in pedestrian activity.Methods:Pedestrian activity was assessed in 12,036 California adults, ≥18 years, using a random digit-dial telephone survey.Results:Significant differences were identified by race, sex, age, and physical activity level in the type, location, and purpose of pedestrian activities. Men engage in pedestrian activity at work, and women engage in pedestrian activity while escorting children to school and running errands. Whites primarily engage in leisure-time pedestrian activity, and non-whites are more likely to engage in pedestrian activity for transportation. Older adults were less active than their younger counterparts.Conclusions:These findings should be considered by public health agencies and their partners as they continue to increase and promote opportunities for pedestrian activity. Additional research is needed to assess older adults’ physical activity patterns and preferences, barriers, and facilitators to effectively tailor physical activity promotion efforts to this at-risk group.

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The Intricacies of Children’s Physical Activity

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.1515/hukin-2015-0082 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 269-275 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Timothy A Brusseau

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Activity Patterns ◽

Change Behavior ◽

Before And After ◽

School Recess ◽

Physical Activity Programming ◽

Children’S Physical Activity

AbstractUnderstanding the physical activity patterns of youth is an essential step in preparing programming and interventions needed to change behavior. To date, little is known about the intricacies of youth physical activity across various physical activity segments (i.e. in school, out of school, recess, classroom physical activity, physical education, weekends, etc.). Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the physical activity patterns of elementary school children across various segments and during two seasons. A total of 287 fourth and fifth graders from the Southwest US wore the Yamax Digiwalker SW-200 pedometer for 7 consecutive days during the Fall and Spring seasons. Children were prompted to record their step counts when arriving and leaving school, before and after physical education and recess, as well as on the weekends. Means and standard deviations were calculated and ANOVAs and t tests were utilized to examine difference by sex, season, and segment. Youth were more active outside of school and on weekdays (p<0.05). Boys were generally more active than girls and all youth were more active during the milder Spring season. There is a clear need for Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programming and weekend physical activity opportunities. Furthermore, greater emphasis is needed on PE and across other activity segments for girls to increase their physical activity levels.

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Youth Physical Activity Patterns During School and Out-of-School Time

Children ◽

10.3390/children5090118 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (9) ◽

pp. 118 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Pedro Saint-Maurice ◽

Yang Bai ◽

Spyridoula Vazou ◽

Gregory Welk

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

High School Students ◽

Discrete Time ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

After School ◽

Activity Levels ◽

School Students ◽

Time Periods ◽

Out Of School

This study describes age, sex, and season patterns in children’s physical activity behaviors during discrete time periods, both in school and at home. Participants were 135 elementary, 67 middle, and 89 high-school students (128 boys and 163 girls) involved in a larger school activity monitoring project. We examined time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at recess, physical education (PE), lunch, commuting to/from school, before-school, after-school, evening, and weekend segments. Differences in MVPA by age, sex, and season were examined using a three-way analysis of variance and separately for each individual segment. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels varied by context and were higher during recess (15.4 ± 8.5 min) while at school, and on Saturdays (97.4 ± 89.5 min) when youth were out-of-school. Elementary children were more active than their older counterparts only during lunch time, after-school, and Sunday (p < 0.05). Boys were consistently more active than girls at all segments. Participants were only more active during non-winter than winter months during PE (p = 0.006), after-school (p < 0.001), and Sunday (p = 0.008) segments. These findings showed that activity levels in youth vary during the day and season. The segments reflect discrete time periods that can potentially be targeted and evaluated to promote physical activity in this population.

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