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EVALUATION OF IN-SCHOOL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING RECESS, P.E., AND ACADEMICALLY-RELATED MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Robert BookerƗ1, Riley Gallowayǂ1, Trisha Doeringǂ1

1Department of Kinesiology, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

PURPOSE: Schools provide ample opportunity to address physical inactivity patterns, which have been established as a crucial risk factor of health concerns. As evidence of associations between morbidity and progression of childhood obesity to adult obesity expand along with the inverse relationship between school year and physical activity (PA), an urgency remains for schools to implement mandatory policies addressing the accumulated moderate-to-vigorous physical (MVPA) activity per week. The purpose of this study was to quantify in-school PA levels among elementary students during recess, P.E., and academically-related movement activities (ARMA) and determine if state-wide recommended levels of MVPA are being met. METHODS: Third through sixth grade students (N=71) volunteered to participate in the evaluation of PA levels during recess, P.E., and ARMA. Accelerometry data was obtained to quantify the amount of PA being achieved. Data collection commenced at the beginning of and ceased at the end of each school day for five consecutive days. Accelerometers were used to provide tri-axial movement analysis according to 5-second ‘epochs’ to quantify levels of PA. A one-way ANOVA was employed to examine PA between grades. RESULTS: Of the weekly recess minutes offered (332.39 ± 24.49), 31% was classified as MVPA while 35.44% was completely sedentary. Combining sedentary and light accounted for 68.09% of the total time. Of the weekly P.E. minutes offered (72.75 ± 31.29), 23.83% was classified as MVPA while 41.44% was completely sedentary. Combing sedentary and light accounted for 72.8% of the total time. Of the weekly ARMA minutes offered (14.93 ± 17.65), 15% was classified as MVPA while 35.37% was completely sedentary. Combining sedentary and light accounted for 63.5% of the total time. Percentages significantly increased across each category after omitting 6th grade due to inflation CONCLUSION: Overall, students failed to achieve recommended amounts of MVPA during school hours and recommended amounts of P.E. of at least moderate intensity although there was opportunity to achieve both. This research provides insight to PA levels and potential health status of children during school hours, which confirms the need for enhanced attention to meeting state standards of school-related PA.

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