RESEARCH NOTE: Physical Activity Levels in Elementary-School Physical Education: A Comparison of Swimming and Nonswimming Classes

2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greet Cardon ◽  
Stefanie Verstraete ◽  
Dirk De Clercq ◽  
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Education Class ◽  
Instruction Time ◽  
Elementary Physical Education ◽  
Education Class ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Preliminary Study

The main goal of the current study was to compare physical activity levels during swimming and nonswimming elementary physical education classes. We conducted a preliminary study and found that the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT) could be used to register physical activity engagement levels in swimming classes. Thirty-nine classes, involving 8- to 12-year olds, participated in one swimming and one nonswimming physical education class. Classes were videotaped and physical activity levels for 234 students were quantified using SOFIT. Students engaged in more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during swimming classes than during nonswimming classes. As a consequence, we advocate the inclusion of swimming lessons in physical education. Because the average engagement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was lower than the recommended 50% in 41% of swimming classes and in 77% of the nonswimming classes, however, comprehensive efforts are needed to increase physical activity levels during both types of elementary physical education classes.

Physical activity levels during adventure-physical education lessons

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Gehris ◽  
Elizabeth Myers ◽  
Robert Whitaker
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Development ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Instruction Time ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
The Mean

Adventure-physical education has been proposed to promote adolescents’ physical development, but little is known about physical activity levels during such lessons. Using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time, we observed students’ (ages 11–14 years) physical activity levels in co-educational classes during 43 adventure-physical education lessons at seven public schools. The mean percentage (±SD) of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was 28.3% (±16.3%). The greatest percentage of lesson time was spent in two activities—high elements (24.1% ± 36.5%) and initiatives (22.3% ± 32.4%). When data were aggregated across all lessons, 40.0% of the time in high elements and 13.7% of the time in initiatives was spent in MVPA. Of all MVPA time, 31.5% occurred in high elements and another 12.6% in initiatives. Compared with traditional physical education lessons, less time is spent in MVPA during adventure lessons. Efforts to increase MVPA should target high elements and initiative activities.

Knowledge in Action: Fitness Lesson Segments That Teach Health-Related Fitness in Elementary Physical Education

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Hodges ◽  
Pamela Hodges Kulinna ◽  
Hans van der Mars ◽  
Chong Lee
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
School Level ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Elementary Physical Education ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Related Fitness

The purpose of this study was to determine students’ health-related fitness knowledge (HRFK) and physical activity levels after the implementation of a series of fitness lessons segments called Knowledge in Action (KIA). KIA aims to teach health-related fitness knowledge (HRFK) during short episodes of the physical education lesson. Teacher participants from one district (N = 10) were randomly assigned into either the intervention or comparison group. Intervention teachers used the KIA fitness lessons during fifth grade students’ physical education classes. These teachers received training sessions, teaching materials, and YouTube videos that modeled the KIA fitness lessons. Intervention fidelity was assessed through observations and a fidelity checklist. Students’ physical activity levels were measured using accelerometers and HRFK was examined by PE Metrics 28-question pencil and paper test. General linear models (GLM) and Hierarchical linear models (HLM) were used to examine group differences. Intervention students had a 3.4 (20%) greater unit improvement in HRFK scores when compared with their comparison counterparts (p < .001), at the school level. Student activity levels of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time were similar in both groups (p = .64). Teachers can use the KIA fitness lesson segments or similar strategies to effectively teach HRFK in elementary physical education classes.

scholarly journals Comparing Physical Activity Levels across Differing Physical Education Class Modules in Middle Schools using SOFIT

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 773-774
Author(s):  
Stuart McCrory ◽  
Bryndan Lindsey ◽  
Monica Guerra ◽  
Carol Pierce ◽  
Shane Caswell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Middle Schools ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Education Class ◽  
Education Class ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Abstract P269: Examining the Unique Contribution of Physical Education and Sports Team Participation to Overall Levels of Adolescent Physical Activity

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare M Lenhart ◽  
Alexandra Hanlon ◽  
Youjeong Kang ◽  
Brian P Daly ◽  
Michael Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Education Class ◽  
Sports Teams ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Education Class ◽  
Sports Team

Background: Adolescent females are significantly less likely to meet physical activity recommendations than males; this gender disparity is also evident among adults. Physical education class and sports teams represent an important opportunity for physical activity among youth. Females, in particular, may rely on these opportunities since they are less likely to be active during unstructured time as compared to males. This study examined the relative contribution of participation in physical education class and sports teams to overall levels of physical activity for females and males, independent of known correlates of physical activity in this group of adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional data was examined from 591 9 th −12 th grade students from Philadelphia public schools who completed the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Assessment. The relationship between the independent variables (participation in physical education class and sports teams) and other selected correlates (race, grade level, body mass index, depression symptoms and suicidal ideation, eating habits and weight concern, drug use, television watching and computer use) and physical activity was evaluated using chi-square tests. Variables with an association of p<.3 were entered into a stepwise regression model to estimate the relative association of each variable with activity levels. A final regression model stratified by gender was generated to estimate gender differences. Results: Sixty-two percent of the sample was female, 50% were African American, 19% were overweight, and 33% reported five or more days of activity in the last week. Females were less likely to be active than males (x 2 (2, N = 591) = 33.72, p = <.01): 27.9% of females were sedentary as compared to 10.6% of males. PE class was not significantly related to overall physical activity among males, while highly active females were seven times more likely to report participating in PE class every day than sedentary females (Exp(B)=7.06; p=.001). Playing on one or more sports teams was significantly associated with low-to-moderate (Exp(B)=2.14; p=.02) and highly active females (Exp(B)=3.24; p<.01). Among males, sports team participation was only associated with high levels of activity (Exp(B)=2.79; p=.05). Conclusions: Participation in sports teams and physical education class contribute more to overall activity levels in female than male adolescents. A more rigorous assessment of this hypothesis is warranted to inform efforts to promote adolescent activity levels, particularly among females.

scholarly journals Gender and School-Level Differences in Students’ Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity Levels When Taught Basketball Through the Tactical Games Model

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Harvey ◽  
Megan L. Smith ◽  
Yang Song ◽  
David Robertson ◽  
Renee Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
School Level ◽  
Fifth Grade ◽  
Elementary Level ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Cognitive Components ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Tactical Games

The Tactical Games Model (TGM) prefaces the cognitive components of physical education (PE), which has implications for physical activity (PA) accumulation. PA recommendations suggest students reach 50% moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, this criterion does not indicate the contribution from vigorous physical activity (VPA). Consequently, this study investigated: a) the effects of TGM delivery on MVPA/VPA and, b) gender/school level differences. Participants were 78 seventh and 96 fourth/fifth grade coeducational PE students from two different schools. Two teachers taught 24 (middle) and 30 (elementary) level one TGM basketball lessons. Students wore Actigraph GT3× triaxial accelerometers. Data were analyzed using four one-way ANOVAs. Middle school boys had significantly higher MVPA/VPA (34.04/22.37%) than girls (25.14/15.47%). Elementary school boys had significantly higher MVPA/VPA (29.73/18.33%) than girls (23.03/14.33%). While TGM lessons provide a context where students can accumulate VPA consistent with national PA recommendations, teachers need to modify lesson activities to enable equitable PA participation.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Levels in Physical Education Lessons at Singapore Primary School

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-123
Author(s):  
Nur Syahida Binte Jamaluddin ◽  
Masato Kawabata
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Dominant Hand ◽  
Physical Activity Intensity ◽  
Activity Intensity ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Physical education (PE) lessons are the appropriate occasions to promote physical activity for children. Although the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels during PE lessons were investigated in several countries, MVPA levels during PE lessons were never reported at Singapore primary schools. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate physical activity intensity levels during PE lessons at a Singapore primary school. A total of 93 students (40 girls) voluntary participated in the study: 28 in Grade 1, 39 in Grade 4, and 26 in Grade 6. They were asked to wear an accelerometer on their non-dominant hand in two PE lessons to measure physical activity levels objectively. They also completed questionnaires on their experiences during the PE lessons. The average of the MVPA levels time (%) in the scheduled lesson time across the three grades was 46.98 ± 5.25%, but the average of the MVPA levels time (%) in the actual lesson time was 69.74 ± 7.31%. These results indicated that it would be possible to achieve the recommended MVPA time in PE lessons. The findings of this study would be useful for PE teachers to reflect whether their PE lessons are efficient to promote primary school student’s physical activity levels.

scholarly journals Are neighbourhood characteristics associated with physical activity levels in schoolchildren?

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulin Kaya ◽  
Pinar Ay ◽  
Seyhan Hidiroglu
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sports Teams ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Neighbourhood Characteristics

Abstract Background Moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is an essential determinant of health for children. However 82% of children aged 11-17 years in Turkey are physically inactive. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of physical inactivity (PI) and sociodemographic and neighbourhood characteristics associated with PI among children aged 9-13 years. Methods The population of this cross-sectional study was 5-7th grade students attending schools in a district of Istanbul. Two schools from urban and two from semi-urban localities were selected in order to capture different neighbourhood characteristics. Sample size was calculated as 344 assuming a difference of PI prevalence of 15% between neighbourhoods, an alpha error of 0.05, a power of 80%. Data were collected by child and parent questionnaires. PI was defined as &lt; 60 minutes MVPA per day within the previous week. Neighbourhood characteristics were evaluated as physical (walkability levels, structure of sidewalks, presence of yards/parks, traffic density) and social (characteristics of social networks, trust among neighbours). Factors associated with PI were analysed by logistic regression. Results A total of 334 students participated with a response rate 96%. The median age was 11 years and 52.9% were girls. The prevalence of PI was 79.3% (95%CI: 75.0-83.7%). Neighbourhood characteristics were not associated with PI (p &gt; 0.05). PI was associated with ownership of mobile phones (OR: 1.96, 95%CI: 1.01-3.78), not being a member of a sports team (OR: 2.83, 95%CI: 1.21-6.58) and having ≤1 day of physical education classes at school (OR: 2.10, 95%CI: 1.08-4.09). Conclusions The prevalence of PI is very high among schoolchildren. School-based interventions as motivating children to participate in sports teams and having physical education classes &gt;1 times per week could be achievable strategies to combat PI. There is a need to adapt objective methods for assessment of neighbourhood characteristics. Key messages PI is a prevalent public health problem among school children in urban and semi-urban environments. The effectiveness of increasing structured physical activity levels at schools by utilizing sports teams and physical education classes should be evaluated in future studies.

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