scholarly journals Designing Activating Schoolyards: Seen from the Girls’ Viewpoint

Author(s):  
Charlotte S. Pawlowski ◽  
Jenny Veitch ◽  
Henriette B. Andersen ◽  
Nicola D. Ridgers

Girls are typically less active in the schoolyard during recess than boys. It is therefore necessary to understand influences on girls’ recess activity in schoolyards. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate girls’ perceptions of physical environmental factors influencing recess physical activity in re-designed schoolyards and to compare the perceptions of girls from different age groups. In 2018, 50 girls from five Danish schools were interviewed using photo-elicitation. The girls were from Grade 4 (n = 28, age 10–11) and Grade 6 (n = 22, age 12–13). Data were analysed using pen profiles constructed from verbatim transcripts. Ten factors emerged: variety, accessibility, size, designated spaces, greenery, playground markings, active play facilities, sports facilities, play equipment, and speakers. Play facilities (trampolines, obstacle courses, dancing and gymnastic appliances) were favoured over traditional sport facilities. Designated spaces, greenery and speakers were important for feeling comfortable within the schoolyard. Although similar factors were raised by the two age groups, some factors were perceived as enablers by the youngest and as barriers by the oldest girls, highlighting the complexity of designing schoolyards that cater to all ages. A greater understanding of how different designs and facilities may be perceived by girls of different ages is important for the design of future schoolyards.

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah H. Whitehead ◽  
Stuart J.H. Biddle ◽  
Toni M. O’Donovan ◽  
Mary E. Nevill

Few studies have addressed factors influencing Scottish adolescent girls’ participation in physical activity (PA). Participants (N = 352) aged 11 to 16 years completed surveys measuring PA participation and potential social-psychological and physical-environmental correlates. Data were analyzed separately by two age groups (11-13 and 14-16 years). For younger girls, mother’s participation, perceived importance, and home equipment use were higher among those higher in PA. For older girls, perceived importance, home equipment use, neighborhood perceptions, and use and enjoyment of local facilities were higher among girls higher in PA. It seems that older girls place less importance on significant others and move toward autonomy away from the home.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e0155686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linde Van Hecke ◽  
Benedicte Deforche ◽  
Delfien Van Dyck ◽  
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽  
Jenny Veitch ◽  
...  

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e0140659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verity Cleland ◽  
Clarissa Hughes ◽  
Lukar Thornton ◽  
Alison Venn ◽  
Kathryn Squibb ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Dawn B. Simpson ◽  
Kim Jose ◽  
Coralie English ◽  
Seana L. Gall ◽  
Monique Breslin ◽  
...  

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