Evaluation of a Walking-Track Intervention to Increase Children’s Physical Activity during Primary School Break Times

Despite the known benefits of engaging in daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), only 22% of children in England are meeting the recommended guidelines. School break times have been advocated as a key part of children’s daily routines in which their MVPA can be increased. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of installing a walking-track on children’s MVPA during school break times. A mixed method design was employed which allowed for the quantitative measurement of children’s PA at three time points (baseline, mid-intervention (1–5 weeks) and follow-up (6–9 weeks)), using pedometers (n = 81, 5–9 years) and systematic observation (n = 23, 7–9 years). A semi-structured interview (n = 1) was also conducted at 10 weeks’ follow-up. The installation of the walking-track was grounded in a unique set of theoretical constructs to aid the behaviour change of the teachers. Short term positive increases in girls’ and boys’ MVPA and longer term increases in boys’ vigorous PA (VPA) were found. Qualitative data highlighted that boys dominated the walking-track and the inconsistent behaviour of school staff negatively impacted upon children’s MVPA. A set of principles to guide the installment of walking-tracks in school playgrounds are recommended.

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A Ban on Smartphone Usage during Recess Increased Children’s Physical Activity

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041907 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1907

Author(s):

Charlotte Skau Pawlowski ◽

Jonas Vestergaard Nielsen ◽

Tanja Schmidt

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Observation ◽

The Everyday ◽

School Recess ◽

The Mean ◽

Key Barrier ◽

Children’S Physical Activity

School recess provides a unique opportunity for children to be active. However, many children perceive smartphones as a key barrier for engaging in physical activity during recess. The aim was to investigate if a ban on smartphone usage during recess changed children’s physical activity. During August–October 2020, children from grades 4–7 (10–14 years) at six Danish schools were banned from using their smartphones during recess for a four-week period. Questionnaire and systematic observation (SOPLAY) data were collected from 814 children before intervention (baseline) and 828 during the last week of intervention (follow-up). The mean frequency of physical activity significantly increased from baseline to follow-up (odds ratio = 1.370), as did physical activity on a moderate level (odds ratio = 1.387). Vigorous physical activity significantly decreased (odds ratio = 0.851). The increase in physical activity was found among both schools having outdoor and indoor recess, among both boys and girls, and nearly equally among grades 4–7. This suggests that implementing a ban on smartphone usage during recess would improve the everyday conditions for health among a broad range of schoolchildren. Future studies are needed to further investigate the association between recess physical activity and smartphone usage.

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A Coordinated Comprehensive Professional Development Training’s Effect on Summer Day Camp Staff Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Promoting Behaviors

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2012-0442 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1170-1178 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

R. Glenn Weaver ◽

Michael W. Beets ◽

Ruth P. Saunders ◽

Aaron Beighle

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Professional Development ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Control Group ◽

Systematic Observation ◽

Type Method ◽

Observation Instruments ◽

Professional Development Training ◽

Children’S Physical Activity

Background:The YMCA of USA recently adopted Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards for their summerday- camps (SDCs). Standards call for staff to exhibit HEPA promoting behaviors while eliminating HEPA discouraging behaviors. No studies have evaluated training programs to influence policy specified staff behaviors and related changes in child activity in SDCs.Method:Four YMCA SDCs serving approximately 800 children/week participated in this no control group pre/post pilot study. Professional development training founded in the 5 Ms (Mission, Model, Manage, Monitor, Maximize) and LET US Play principles (lines; elimination; team size; uninvolved staff/kids; and space, equipment, and rules) was delivered to staff. Outcomes were staff promotion behaviors and child activity assessed via systematic observation instruments.Results:Twelve of 17 HEPA staff behaviors changed in the appropriate direction from baseline to postassessment with 5 behaviors reaching statistically significant changes. The percentage of girls and boys observed in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity increased from 15.3% to 18.3% (P > .05) and 17.9% to 21.2%, whereas sedentary behavior decreased from 66.8% to 59.8% and 62.3% to 53.6%, respectively.Conclusion:Evidence suggests that the professional development training designed to assist SDCs to meet the HEPA Standards can lead to important changes in staff behaviors and children’s physical activity.

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Telephone-Based Coaching and Prompting for Physical Activity: Short- and Long-Term Findings of a Randomized Controlled Trial (Movingcall)

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16142626 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (14) ◽

pp. 2626 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Xenia Fischer ◽

Jan-Niklas Kreppke ◽

Lukas Zahner ◽

Markus Gerber ◽

Oliver Faude ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Group Differences ◽

Control Group ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

Telephone Coaching

This study analyzed the short- and long-term efficacy of telephone coaching and short message service (SMS) prompting for physical activity (PA) promotion. Two-hundred-and-eighty-eight adults (age: 42 ± 11 years) were assigned randomly to three intervention arms: The intervention groups received 12 bi-weekly telephone calls with (coaching and SMS group) or without (coaching group) additional SMS prompts (n = 48 SMS). The control group received a single written PA recommendation. Self-reported and objective moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels were assessed by a structured interview and by accelerometer at baseline, after the intervention (6 months), as well as after a no-contact follow-up (12 months). At post-test, self-reported MVPA increased by 173 min/week (95% CI 95 to 252) in the coaching group and by 165 min/week (95% CI 84 to 246) in the coaching and SMS group compared to control. These group differences remained similar in the follow-up test. For the objectively assessed MVPA, the coaching group increased by 32 min/week (95% CI 0.1 to 63) and the coaching and SMS group by 34 min/week (95% CI 1.6 to 66) compared to the control group. In the follow-up test, the objective MVPA levels of the intervention groups no longer differed from baseline, but group differences persisted as the control group decreased below baseline. Additional SMS prompts did not result in a further increase in PA. Telephone coaching can be considered an effective tool for PA promotion.

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An empirical example of analysis using a two-stage modeling approach: within-subject association of outdoor context and physical activity predicts future daily physical activity levels

Translational Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/tbm/ibaa107 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Chih-Hsiang Yang ◽

Jaclyn P Maher ◽

Aditya Ponnada ◽

Eldin Dzubur ◽

Rachel Nordgren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Wearable Sensors ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Two Stage ◽

Modeling Approach ◽

Source Program ◽

Modeling Strategy ◽

Stage Modeling

Abstract People differ from each other to the extent to which momentary factors, such as context, mood, and cognitions, influence momentary health behaviors. However, statistical models to date are limited in their ability to test whether the association between two momentary variables (i.e., subject-level slopes) predicts a subject-level outcome. This study demonstrates a novel two-stage statistical modeling strategy that is capable of testing whether subject-level slopes between two momentary variables predict subject-level outcomes. An empirical case study application is presented to examine whether there are differences in momentary moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels between the outdoor and indoor context in adults and whether these momentary differences predict mean daily MVPA levels 6 months later. One hundred and eight adults from a multiwave longitudinal study provided 4 days of ecological momentary assessment (during baseline) and accelerometry data (both at baseline and 6 month follow-up). Multilevel data were analyzed using an open-source program (MixWILD) to test whether momentary strength between outdoor context and MVPA during baseline was associated with average daily MVPA levels measured 6 months later. During baseline, momentary MVPA levels were higher in outdoor contexts as compared to indoor contexts (b = 0.07, p < .001). Participants who had more momentary MVPA when outdoors (vs. indoors) during baseline (i.e., a greater subject-level slope) had higher daily MVPA at the 6 month follow-up (b = 0.09, p < .05). This empirical example shows that the subject-level momentary association between specific context (i.e., outdoors) and health behavior (i.e., physical activity) may contribute to overall engagement in that behavior in the future. The demonstrated two-stage modeling approach has extensive applications in behavioral medicine to analyze intensive longitudinal data collected from wearable sensors and mobile devices.

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Determinants of student’s physical activity: a 12-month follow-up study in Ningxia province

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10525-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wei Huang ◽

Xiangrong Shi ◽

Yujie Wang ◽

Xiaoling Li ◽

Pengpeng Gao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Skill Training ◽

Critical Role ◽

School Factors ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Students Attitudes ◽

Sport Events

Abstract Background Physical activity has many health benefits for children and adolescents. However, the prevalence of physical inactivity in school-aged children and adolescents remains high in China. Many factors impact the levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among students. This study investigated the factors associated with students’ MVPA levels and the determinants of changes in their MVPA behaviour. Methods This is a longitudinal study with a 12-month follow-up. The study samples were obtained from 2016 and 2017 Physical Activity and Fitness in China—The Youth Study, and they included 1597 students (aged 9–18 years) from 31 primary, junior high, and high schools in Ningxia Province. Factors related to the individual (Age, Sex, BMI and attitude to PA), school (school exercise facility, PE class, teacher support, PA time and PA environment) and neighbourhood (free skill training, sport events, sport organization, sport facility) factors were measured via questionnaire at baseline and after 12 months. Multiple logistic regression was performed to examine the factors that impact students’ MVPA level and the determinants of changes in students’ MVPA behaviour. Results There was no difference in students’ MVPA levels between 2016 and 2017. Boys were more physically active than girls at baseline (RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.10, 2.20). Neighbourhood factors associated students’ MVPA levels were significant, but all of these factors (neighbourhood sport events, organizations, facilities, etc.) were removed from the longitudinal model. Individual and school factors were important for students’ MVPA maintenance and positive development (e.g., gender, attitude, school PE class and PA time). Conclusions In conclusion, both neighbourhood and school factors may affect students’ MVPA, but school appears to plays a more critical role in maintaining and promoting students’ MVPA levels. In addition, individual factors may be more important than school and neighbourhood factors in influencing students’ MVPA levels. Our research demonstrates that students’ attitudes towards PA and school factors should be considered targets for future intervention programmes to promote MVPA. More education programmes may help enhance students’ attitudes towards PA, but more studies with large samples and objective assessments are needed to explore the determinants of MVPA.

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Convergent Validity of a Piezoelectric Pedometer and an Omnidirectional Accelerometer for Measuring Children’s Physical Activity

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.23.3.399 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 399-410 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Scott Duncan ◽

Kate White ◽

Losi Sa’ulilo ◽

Grant Schofield

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Limits Of Agreement ◽

Metabolic Equivalent ◽

Low Level ◽

School Day ◽

Level 3 ◽

Equivalent Test ◽

Children’S Physical Activity

The aim of this study was to assess the convergent validity of a new piezoelectric pedometer and an omnidirectional accelerometer for assessing children’s time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A total of 114 children (51 boys, 63 girls) aged 5–11 years wore a sealed NL-1000 piezoelectric pedometer (New Lifestyles Inc, Lee’s Summit, MO) and an Actical accelerometer (Mini Mitter, Bend, OR) over one school day. The NL-1000 pedometers were randomized to one of two manual intensity thresholds used to define MVPA (1): Level 3 = 2.9 metabolic equivalent test (MET) and (2) Level 4 = 3.6 MET. Compared with the Actical, the NL-1000 underestimated the time spent in MVPA by 37% and 45% at intensity levels 3 and 4, respectively. In addition, the 95% limits of agreement were wide at both intensity levels (level 3 = -144%, 70%; level 4 = -135%, 45%), indicating a low level of precision.

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Accelerometry and Self-Report Are Congruent for Children’s Moderate-to-Vigorous and Higher Intensity Physical Activity

Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour ◽

10.1123/jmpb.2020-0017 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Claudio R. Nigg ◽

Xanna Burg ◽

Barbara Lohse ◽

Leslie Cunningham-Sabo

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Fourth Grade ◽

Assessment Method ◽

Self Report ◽

Upper Elementary ◽

Upper Elementary School ◽

Intensity Physical Activity

Purpose: This study used different analytic approaches to compare physical activity (PA) metrics from accelerometers (ACC) and a self-report questionnaire in upper elementary youth participating in the Fuel for Fun intervention. Methods: The PA questionnaire and ACC were assessed at baseline/preintervention (fall fourth grade), Follow-up 1/postintervention (spring fourth grade), and Follow-up 2 (fall fifth grade) of 564 fourth grade students from three elementary schools (50% females, 78% White, and 28% overweight or obese). Different analytic approaches identified similarities and differences between the two methods. Results: On average, self-report was higher than ACC for vigorous PA (range = 9–15 min/day), but lower than ACC for moderate PA (range = 24–30 min/day), light PA (range = 30–36 min/day), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; range = 9–21 min/day). Spearman’s correlations for vigorous PA (.30, .26, and .32); moderate PA (.12, .13, and .14); and MVPA (.25, .25, and .24) were significant at each time point (all ps ≤ .01), whereas correlations for light PA were not significant (.06, .04, and .07; all ps > .05). In repeated-measures analyses, ACC and questionnaire measures were significantly different from each other across the three time points; however, change difference of the two measures over time was only 5.5 MVPA min/day. Conclusions: The PA questionnaire and ACC validated each other and can be used to assess MVPA in upper elementary school children in a similar population to the current study. However, each assessment method captures unique information, especially for light-intensity PA. Multiple PA measurement methods are recommended to be used in research and application to provide a more comprehensive understanding of children’s activity.

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Longitudinal Changes in Sitting Patterns, Physical Activity, and Health Outcomes in Adolescents

Children ◽

10.3390/children6010002 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 2 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ana Contardo Ayala ◽

Jo Salmon ◽

David Dunstan ◽

Lauren Arundell ◽

Kate Parker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Anthropometric Measures ◽

Prolonged Sitting ◽

Intensity Physical Activity ◽

Changes Over Time

This study examined two-year changes in patterns of activity and associations with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) among adolescents. Inclinometers (activPAL) assessed sitting, sitting bouts, standing, stepping, and breaks from sitting. ActiGraph-accelerometers assessed sedentary time (SED), light-intensity physical activity (LIPA, stratified as low- and high-LIPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Anthropometric measures were objectively assessed at baseline and self-reported at follow-up. Data from 324 and 67 participants were obtained at baseline and follow-up, respectively. Multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models examined changes over time, and associations between baseline values and BMI and WC at follow-up. There were significant increases in BMI (0.6 kg/m2) and durations of prolonged sitting (26.4 min/day) and SED (52 min/day), and significant decreases in stepping (−19 min/day), LIPA (−33 min/day), low-LIPA (−26 min/day), high-LIPA (−6.3 min/day), MVPA (−19 min/day), and the number of breaks/day (−8). High baseline sitting time was associated (p = 0.086) with higher BMI at follow-up. There were no significant associations between baseline sitting, prolonged sitting, LIPA, or MVPA with WC. Although changes in daily activity patterns were not in a favourable direction, there were no clear associations with BMI or WC. Research with larger sample sizes and more time points is needed.

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Do overweight/obesity and low levels of leisure-time vigorous physical activity moderate the effect of occupational physical activity on self-rated health of construction workers?

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health ◽

10.1007/s00420-021-01771-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

M. Van den Berge ◽

S. H. Van Oostrom ◽

H. F. Van der Molen ◽

S. J. W. Robroek ◽

C. T. J. Hulshof ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Material Handling ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Construction Workers ◽

Low Level ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Manual Material Handling ◽

Strenuous Work ◽

Low Levels

Abstract Purpose To investigate the combined effects of occupational physical activity (OPA) and either overweight/obesity or low levels of leisure-time vigorous physical activity (LTVPA) on self-rated health. Methods A longitudinal study was performed among 29,987 construction workers with complete data on 2 Workers’ Health Surveillance Programs during 2010–2018. Self-reported OPA involved strenuous work postures and manual material handling. Low level of LTVPA was defined as self-reported vigorous activity for less than three times per week lasting at least 20 min per session. Overweight and obesity were based on Body Mass Index (BMI) (25.0 ≤ BMI < 30.0 kg/m2 and BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2, respectively) using measured body height and weight. Self-rated health was measured using a single item question. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the associations between the separate risk factors at baseline and self-rated health at follow-up. The combined effects of demanding OPA and either overweight/obesity or low level of LTVPA on self-rated health were analyzed using the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). Results Mean follow-up duration was 31.7 (SD = 14.9) months. Construction workers with strenuous work postures (OR 1.35 95% CI 1.25–1.46), manual material handling (OR 1.29 95% CI 1.19–1.40), obesity (OR 1.31 95% CI 1.17–1.47) and low LTVPA (OR 1.13 95% CI 1.01–1.25) were more likely to report poor self-rated health at follow-up. No statistically significant interaction effects were found for OPA and obesity or low LTVPA. Conclusions OPA, obesity and low level of LTVPA were separate risk factors for poor self-rated health, but did not appear to have a synergistic effect.

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Impact of parents’ physical activity on preschool children’s physical activity: a cross-sectional study

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.4405 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e4405 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Chang Xu ◽

Minghui Quan ◽

Hanbin Zhang ◽

Chenglin Zhou ◽

PeiJie Chen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Maternal Influence ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Paternal Influence ◽

Children’S Physical Activity

Purpose This study examined the associations of physical activity levels between parents and their pre-school children based on gender and weekday/weekend. Method A total of 247 parent-preschool child triads from Shanghai, China were analyzed. The children had a mean age of 57.5 ± 5.2 months. Both sedentary behavior and physical activity were measured in all participants using an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer over seven consecutive days from Monday through the following Sunday. A multivariate regression model was derived to identify significant relationships between parental and child physical activity according to gender and weekday/weekend. Results There was a significant correlation between mothers’ and girls’ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity (TPA) on weekdays. Fathers’ MPVA levels correlated significantly with those of boys and girls, with paternal influence appearing to be stronger than maternal influence. However, there was not a significant correlation between fathers’ and children’s TPA. TPA levels of both mothers and fathers correlated with those of girls, but not with those of boys. Parental sedentary levels on the weekend correlated significantly with girls’ levels, but not with boys’ levels. Children’s physical activity levels on weekends were influenced more by fathers’ activity levels than by mothers’, while the opposite was observed on weekdays. Conclusion Sedentary behavior and physical activity levels of parents can strongly influence those of their preschool children, with maternal influence stronger during the weekdays and paternal influence stronger on the weekends. Parents’ activity levels influence girls’ levels more strongly than they influence boys’ levels.

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