The Effects of Playground Zoning on Physical Activity During Recess in Elementary-Aged Children.

Abstract

While many factors contribute to the development of obesity, a sedentary lifestyle plays a significant role in this epidemic. Epidemiological data indicates that 50% of children aged 6-11 years old and approximately 92% of adolescents aged 12-18 years old are not meeting the recommended health guideline of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day. Therefore, the most effective interventions for combating inactivity and childhood obesity should target children before inactivity develops in their adolescent years. Due to the increasing youth obesity rates, schools have been identified as ideal environments to promote physical activity (PA). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare changes in physical activity in youth, measured by accelerometry, during recess with a playground zoning intervention. METHODS: The sample included 433 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade boys and girls from two elementary institutions. PA was observed during recess using systematic observation of play and leisure activity in youth (SOPLAY) and measured using Actigraph-GT3X accelerometers on a subset of students (n = 78). Baseline data were collected for one week prior to playground zoning. Afterwards, the playgrounds were zoned into six various activities for two weeks and PA data was observed and measured. RESULTS: A repeated measures ANOVA detected a significant main effect with the zoning and decreased time spent in sedentary activity (p = .013) and moderate activity (p = .027). A significant cross-over interaction was detected with zoning and an increase in time spent in vigorous activity (p = .017) and MVPA (p = .006) for third graders, whereas fifth graders significantly decreased the time spent in MVPA (p < .001). Furthermore, third grade boys accumulated 204 more steps on the zoned playground compared to baseline measurements (p = .001). A McNemar test revealed a 5% increase in observational PA on zoned playgrounds (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Zoned playgrounds are an applicable, manageable, and effective program that can help improve PA during recess for young children. However, a different intervention may be needed to improve PA in older children.