Decreases in Physical Activity from Elementary School to Middle School in both Boys and Girls in Missoula, MT

Abstract

Physical activity is linked to enhanced health and reduced youth onset of adult chronic disease. It has been recommended by the CDC that children and adolescents participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity most days of the week. Participation in physical activity declines in adolescence. PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in the physical activity patterns of Missoula, MT across elementary and middle schools. METHODS: 342 elementary and middle school students from 6 schools, grades 2-8, were randomly selected from a pool of volunteers. Descriptive data were collected. Participating students wore Actical ® accelerometer for 5 days on the non dominant wrist with data collected in 1m epochs. The data were corrected using a double pass smoothing spline developed in our lab. Activity count data were converted to activity energy expenditure (mlâЄ¢min-1âЄ¢kg-1) using the methods of Heil, et al. The data were evaluated for time in sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous activity and separated by age, grade, and gender. The data were further separated by looking at Elementary vs. Middle School physical activity in; weekdays vs. weekend; in school vs. out of school, time in recess, time in physical education and time in sport. RESULTS: There is a dramatic drop in overall moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) when students go from elementary school to middle school. The data also shows a significant drop in MVPA both in and out of school, during PE and in minutes of sport participation between elementary and middles school CONCLUSIONS: The large overall drop (36.13%) in physical activity from elementary to middle school is concerning. School and community programs are being developed by our team to work on these issues.