The Relationship between Elementary School Children's Enjoyment of School Playground Activities and Participation in Physical Activity during Lunchtime Recess

Abstract

An emerging public health strategy is to enhance children's opportunities for physical activity (PA) during school recess periods, yet little is known about the influence of children's enjoyment of school playground activities on their participation in lunchtime recess PA. In this study, the Lunchtime Enjoyment Activity and Play (LEAP) questionnaire was used to measure 8- to 12-year-old children's enjoyment of school playground activities and pedometers were used to measure their PA at two Australian elementary schools (n 105). Researchers applied multiple linear regression models in STATA (version 13.0) to investigate the relationship between children's enjoyment of playground activities and PA during school lunchtime recess. It was discovered that children's enjoyment of more vigorous school playground activities (such as tag games, or playing with sporting equipment) were significant predictors of children's PA. Considering children's enjoyment of school playground activities may provide valuable insight for decision makers when developing school playground areas and promoting activities during lunchtime recess.