Physical Education Class Characteristics and Physical Activity of Elementary School-Aged Children in the Mississippi Delta

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine physical education (PE) class characteristics associated with children's in-school physical activity (ISPA). METHODS: Eleven schools (n = 11) from three districts (n = 3) within two counties in the Mississippi Delta (MSD) participated in this investigation. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection procedures were used. Measures included the SOFIT and in-depth interviews. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between District 1 and District 3 (F (1, 106) = 3.05, p = 0.05) on the percent time students spend in MVPA during PE. The mean percent time in MVPA was 40.9% +14.8 (District 1) and 32.8% +15.3 (District 3). Further analysis revealed differences between School 6 (District 2) and the following schools on MVPA during PE: School 3 (F (1, 99) = 4.52, p = 0.001; District 1), School 4 (F (9, 99) = 4.52, p = 0.003; District 1) and School 7 (F (9, 99) = 4.52, p = 0.001; District 2). The mean percent of time in MVPA at School 6 was 23.8% +4.9, School 3 was 49.9% +13.4, School 4 was 48.9% +16.4 and School 7 was 47.2% +13.1. The majority of PE class time at School 6 was spent in class management (Mean: 30.0% +15.8). There was also a significant relationships between percent of PE class time spent in unstructured free play and time spent in MVPA (r = 0.556; p = 0.00). The majority of PE class time at School 3 (Mean: 38.8% +46.8), School 4 (Mean: 59.0% +43.3) and School 7 (Mean: 65.2% +42.1) was spent in other (unstructured play). There is a significant relationship between the percent time spent in MVPA and children's BMI (r = 0.629; p = 0.05; school level analysis). CONCLUSION: The current investigation provides insight into factors associated with ISPA of elementary-school aged children. For this particular age group unstructured play appears to the most influential lesson context related to MVPA. These results are in contrast to evidence found among middle school-aged adolescents which supports PE classes that are structured have higher MVPA. Furthermore, ecological correlations reveal that the schools with the most active children are also the schools with the most overweight children. The problem is that schools do not implement ISPA policy. More stringent evaluation of state mandates is needed to identify best practices that provide children with the opportunity for ISPA. Funded by Active Living Research (RWJF# 67132)