Levels of Physical Activity during School Hours in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

Alberto Grao-Cruces,Fernando Rodríguez-Rodríguez,María J Velázquez-Romero

doi:10.3390/ijerph17134773

Abstract

Background: This systematic review determines the levels of physical activity (PA) during school hours in children and adolescents. Methods: Studies carried out from January 1987 to December 2019 were retrieved from four databases (Web of Science, Pubmed, Scopus and SportDiscus). Results: Twenty-nine studies were included in this systematic review. Most of them used accelerometers and showed that male and female children accumulated a mean of between 14 and 68 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) during school hours (3–22% of this daily segment), and male and female adolescents accumulated a mean of between 13 and 28 min of MVPA during this daily segment (3–8% of the school hours). Less than a quarter of children and adolescents reached the recommended 30 min of MVPA during school hours, with notable differences between sexes. Conclusions: These results suggest that the levels of PA during school hours are not enough, and consequently, schools should develop strategies for helping children and adolescents reach the school PA recommendation.

Highlights

High levels of physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents are recognized as an indicator of subsequent physical, social and mental health [1]
Less than a quarter of children and adolescents reached the recommended 30 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) during school hours, with notable differences between sexes. These findings suggest that the current school settings might not generate a sufficient amount of MVPA in children and, especially, in adolescents
We propose a recommendation as a percentage of school hours, as is the case for the specific PA recommendation during recess [56,57] and PE lessons [58]

Summary

Introduction

High levels of physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents are recognized as an indicator of subsequent physical, social and mental health [1]. Children and adolescents are recommended to engage in at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) per day [2]. There is some evidence that many children and adolescents worldwide do not meet this recommendation [3]. This systematic review determines the levels of physical activity (PA) during school hours in children and adolescents. Most of them used accelerometers and showed that male and female children accumulated a mean of between 14 and 68 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Less than a quarter of children and adolescents reached the recommended 30 min of MVPA during school hours, with notable differences between sexes. Conclusions: These results suggest that the levels of PA during school hours are not enough, and schools should develop strategies for helping children and adolescents reach the school PA recommendation

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion