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

Emma Powell,Lorayne Woodfield,Alexander Powell,Tony Myers,Alan Nevill

doi:10.3390/children5100135

Emma Powell, Lorayne Woodfield + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/children5100135

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Abstract

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.

Highlights

For children and young people engaging in their recommended daily physical activity (PA)guidelines of at least 60 min of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) [1], is fundamental to both their physical and social health [2]
Evidence suggests that children spend a large proportion of the school day engaged in sedentary activities [6,7], and the importance of reallocating children’s sedentary time (ST) and light PA (LPA) to MVPA during the school day is considered essential in order to avoid negative effects on their adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness [8]
The inconsistencies in the implementation and use of the walking-track are something that needs to be taken into consideration in the design of future break time PA interventions; which could be achieved through the careful selection of key ingredients from the behaviour change taxonomy (BCT) [20]

Summary

Introduction

Guidelines of at least 60 min of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) [1], is fundamental to both their physical and social health [2]. Despite these known benefits, only 22% of children (aged 5–15 years old) in England are meeting their recommended daily guidelines for MVPA [3]. Evidence suggests that children spend a large proportion of the school day engaged in sedentary activities [6,7], and the importance of reallocating children’s sedentary time (ST) and light PA (LPA) to MVPA during the school day is considered essential in order to avoid negative effects on their adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness [8]. When considering a multi-component approach, break times can play a Children 2018, 5, 135; doi:10.3390/children5100135 www.mdpi.com/journal/children

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