Playground usage and physical activity levels of children based on playground spatial features

Guido Knapp,Anne K Reimers

doi:10.1007/s10389-017-0828-x

Abstract

AimBeing outdoors is one of the strongest correlates of physical activity in children. Playgrounds are spaces especially designed to enable and foster physical activity in children. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the spatial features of public playgrounds and the usage and physical activity levels of children playing in them.Subjects and methodsA quantitative, observational study was conducted of ten playgrounds in one district of a middle-sized town in Germany. Playground spatial features were captured using an audit instrument and the playground manual of the town. Playground usage and physical activity levels of children were assessed using a modified version of the System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth. Negative binomial models were used to analyze the count data.ResultsThe number of children using the playgrounds and the number of children actively playing in them were higher in those with more varied facilities and without naturalness. Girls played more actively in playgrounds without multi-purpose areas. Cleanliness, esthetics, play facility quality, division of functional areas and playground size were not related to any outcome variable.ConclusionPlayground spatial features are related to playground usage and activity levels of the children in the playgrounds. Playgrounds should offer a wide variety of play facilities and provide spaces for diverse play activities to respond to the needs of large numbers of different children and to provide activity-friendly areas enabling their healthy development.

Highlights

Physical activity in children and adolescents is the basis of growing up healthily
All models were adjusted for weather; N = 578 Playground usage: QIC = −2384; MVPA: QIC = −196 B unstandardized regression weight, SE standard error, Z z-score; p probability value, MVPA moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, QIC quasilikelihood under independence model criterion moderately physically active (B = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.05–0.81; p = 0.028)
All models were adjusted for weather; N = 578 Playground usage: QIC = −176; MVPA: QIC = 531 B unstandardized regression weight, SE standard error, Z z-score, p probability value, MVPA moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, QIC quasilikelihood under independence model criterion

Summary

Introduction

Physical activity in children and adolescents is the basis of growing up healthily. Many studies have shown that physically active children and adolescents are more physically active throughout their lifespan than their inactive counterparts (Telama 2009). Many children worldwide are not meeting physical activity guidelines and are not active enough to grow up healthily (Hallal et al 2012). In Germany, only 13.1% of girls and 17.4% of boys aged 4–17 years old meet the physical activity guidelines (Jekauc et al 2012). A wide range of studies has shown that the neighborhood environment is an essential physical context, having a large impact on physical activity patterns of children and adolescents (de Vet et al 2011; Ding et al 2011). Being outside is one of the strongest determinants of physical

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion