Children's Activity Levels Research Articles

Conducting 24-hour movement behaviour research with preschool children in middle-income countries: Lessons from the SUNRISE pilot study in Mexico.

ObjectivesMovement behaviour research among preschoolers is nascent in low- and middle-income countries, where levels of physical activity, sleep, and sedentary time in children are largely unknown. This study aimed to adapt and assess the acceptability and feasibility of the International Study of Movement Behaviours in the Early Years (SUNRISE) in Mexico, and report on challenges and solutions while implementing the protocol. Study designPilot study of the SUNRISE protocol in Mexico. MethodsSafety, logistic challenges, local dynamics, and population needs were considered to adapt the SUNRISE protocol. A gender-balanced sample of 100 children aged 3-4 years from urban and rural communities were recruited through early childcare and education centres (ECECs). Measures on children’s movement behaviours, anthropometry, gross and fine motor skills, and executive functions were collected. Challenges and solutions for implementing the protocol were documented. ResultsThe protocol was well accepted by the school community (School response rate: 83.3%). Data were collected from 132 children (response rate: 44.4%); 88 children had valid accelerometer data (average wear time: 766.8 min/d).Challenges faced included: stringent regulations to access ECECs, low confidence in the research team and protocol, low literacy levels among parents, lack of basic services in rural areas (e.g., electricity, transportation, accommodation), and poor compliance with accelerometer wear time. To overcome them, changes to the protocol considered: adaptions to meet ECECs dynamics, strategies to enhance trust in the research team and protocols (face-to-face communication, demonstrations, and encouraging parental engagement), seeking community leaders to facilitate access to rural areas and ensure the research team’s safety and access to basic facilities, and strategies to improve accelerometer adherence. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the feasibility of conducting movement behavior research among preschool children through ECECs in Mexico and provides relevant lessons learned that may hold relevance for researchers in settings with similar contexts to Mexico.

Physical activity patterns of children and adolescents with Down syndrome: Using the Fitbit and parental proxy questionnaire

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess physical activity (PA) levels in children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) using a commercially available activity tracker (Fitbit) and a parental proxy questionnaire. Design and methodsThis cross-sectional study included two groups of individuals with DS (school-age children and adolescents) and one parent per child/adolescent. The school-age children and adolescents with DS wore the Fitbit for seven consecutive days. Parents completed the parental proxy questionnaire on the seventh day. Weekday and weekend PA levels for the two groups of individuals with DS were compared. In addition, PA levels obtained with the Fitbit were compared to parental responses. ResultsComplete data sets were available for 32 child-parent dyads. Sedentary time was higher for the adolescent group (p = .022), while light PA time was lower (p = .020). All measured PA patterns, excluding sedentary behavior, decreased on weekends in both groups: steps (p = .002), light PA time (p = .028), and moderate-to-vigorous PA time (p = .004). Parental proxy questionnaires underestimated actual PA levels. ConclusionsPA was lower in the adolescent group and during the weekend for both groups. Practice implicationsFindings from this study suggest a need for tailored programs designed to increase weekend PA levels in school-age children and adolescents with DS in pediatric nursing research. The use of commercial activity trackers, such as the Fitbit, which are user-friendly and relatively affordable, is effective for pediatric nurses to monitor PA levels of children and adolescents with DS in clinical settings.

Investigation of the Link Between Food Assistance Programs and Physical Activity Among Children and Adolescents.

While the direct benefits of food assistance programs are well-documented, there is a need to explore indirect benefits like increased physical activity. This study examined whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was associated with improved physical activity levels in children and adolescents aged 2-17 in the United States during 2017-2018. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. This cross-sectional study used a subset of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (n=2620). In the NHANES 2017-2018 dataset, physical activity was measured through self-report questionnaires, which captured participants' frequency, duration, and intensity of various activities. We used weighted logistic regression and the Hosmer - Lemeshow - Sturdivant forward model - building strategy to investigate this hypothesized association using SAS version 9.4. In the adjusted model, controlling for the other variables in the model, we found that children and adolescents from households that had received SNAP/Food Stamps had 1.53 times higher odds (odds ratio [OR]=1.53, 95% CI: 1.24-1.89) of achieving the recommended guidelines of 60 minutes of daily physical activity compared to those who had not received benefits. Each additional year of age resulted in 0.82 times lower odds (OR=0.82; 95% CI: 0.79, 0.85) of meeting the recommended amounts of physical activity. Additionally, each unit increase in BMI was associated with 0.96 times lower odds (OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.93, 0.98) of engaging in recommended physical activity. These findings suggest that participation in the SNAP/Food Stamps program may indirectly benefit participants by increasing physical activity levels.

Experiences of Rural-Dwelling Children Wearing Physical Activity Trackers: An Exploratory Study.

Although there is a need for evidence-based physical activity programs in rural communities, evaluating such programs is often challenging due to access-related barriers and measurement tools that are not designed for rural contexts. This study aimed to explore and better understand the day-to-day experiences of rural-dwelling children using wrist-worn PA trackers as part of a study to develop a health promotion program. Ten caregivers and child dyads were enrolled (n = 20). The children wore accelerometers pre- and post-intervention. Semi-structured interviews were completed post-intervention and were audio recorded, transcribed, and summary reports were generated based on recurring themes. The children had a mean age of 8.7 (SD = 1.4) years and the majority were male (80%). The caregivers were female, white, and had a mean age of 43.6 (SD = 8.5) years, with an annual income of ≥USD 40,000. Factors contributing to device wear times included low caregiver burden, device functioning as a watch, and device interactivity. The children reported that the devices were acceptable, but may have changed their physical activity behaviors, with children regularly checking their step count. The caregivers preferred devices that monitored the children's activity levels without sharing location data. Identifying acceptable and feasible strategies to measure physical activity is vital to developing effective health promotion efforts. The lessons learned may help develop evaluation plans for implementing rural physical activity programming.

A comparison of the physical activity levels of 3-to-6-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder and children with typical development.

Physical activity during early development is closely related to health. Differences in physical activity between young children with autism spectrum disorder and those with typical development are unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the physical activity levels in children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children from the same area, including their sedentary physical activity, light physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and number of days in which the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity guideline recommendation of 60 min per day was met. A total of 77 participants aged 3-6 years were included: 41 children with autism spectrum disorder (mean age = 61.41 ± 10.69 months) and 36 children with typical development (mean age = 60.36 ± 10.16 months). The physical activity of the children was measured using an ActiGraph GT3x accelerometer. There were no significant differences in daily sedentary physical activity (439.70 ± 54.98 vs. 450.42 ± 53.67) or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (46.62 ± 18.93 vs. 47.47 ± 18.26) between the two groups. The average daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of the two groups did not reach 60 min, and they had similar proportions of participants who reached 60 min a given number of times (24.4% vs. 25%). Daily light physical activity was significantly higher in the autism spectrum disorder group (263.96 ± 43.17 vs. 242.32 ± 37.91, p < 0.05). The moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of both groups was similar and lower than the recommended minimum physical activity. Targeted interventions should be considered in early intervention programs for children with autism spectrum disorder to increase their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Cross-Sectional Assessment of Nutritional Status, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity Levels in Children (6-9 Years) in Valencia (Spain) Using Nutrimetry.

The aims of this research were to evaluate the current nutritional status, dietary intake, and level of physical activity and assess the need for intervention. This was a cross-sectional study with 2724 participating children aged 6-9 years old. Nutritional status was assessed using nutrimetry, dietary intake with a 3-day food-recall questionnaire and physical activity with an ad hoc questionnaire. The nutricode with the highest prevalence was healthy weight/normal stature, with 51.3% of the sample. For the BMI for age Z-score, those in the overweight/obesity category represented 37.5% of the sample, while the thinness category included 7.6%. Intake of calories, proteins, sugar, lipids, SFA, MUFA, and cholesterol were significantly higher than recommended. The thinness groups consumed a significantly higher amount of excess calories while the overweight/obesity groups had the lowest mean excess calorie intake. Children in the thinness category presented the highest rates at both ends of the spectrum for sedentary activities. This study showed the high prevalence of malnutrition in schoolchildren. The results for the risk of thinness and overweight/obesity according to individual nutrient intake should be carefully interpreted. Lifestyle is a fundamental aspect to consider when combating malnutrition, especially at the level of dietary and physical activity habits, to combine various methods of intervention to improve nutritional status.

Influence of Parental Support on the Physical Activity Level of Children with Physical Disabilities

ABSTRACT The practice of physical activities is essential for maintaining the health of children and adults. However, among people with disabilities, there is a high prevalence of physical inactivity, especially among children, mainly due to the lack of access to specific programs aimed at their possibilities. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the influence of parental support in the practice of physical activities of children with physical disabilities. Thirty-five children with physical disabilities and their mothers participated in the study. The children and mothers separately answered questionnaires to assess their usual level of physical activity and their perception of parental support for physical activity. The results showed that parental support had a positive relationship with the level of physical activity in younger children. No significant differences were observed in reported and perceived parental support when comparisons were performed according to sex, age group, and type of locomotion. Considering the physical activity level of the mothers, the average result showed an insufficient amount of practice, however the mothers attributed high importance to the physical activity practice of their children.

Pediatric Bobath Concept in management of children with cerebral palsy: view of Turkish Bobath therapists

Purpose: Pediatric Bobath Concept (PBC) is a family-child centered holistic concept applied interdisciplinary to support the functional skills of children with cerebral palsy. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of PBC on children, parents, and themselves from the perspective of Bobath therapists in Turkey. Methods: In this observational study, 104 (69.2% female) Bobath therapists with a mean age of 37.9+6.1 years participated. The Pediatric-Bobath Impact Questionnaire (P-BIQ) was developed by the Delphi method. Content validity (Lawshe's Content Validity Index-CVI) and test-retest reliability (Intraclass correlation coefficient -ICC) were examined. The relationships between the rates of change in children, parents, and therapists were analyzed using the Chi Square (χ2) test and the effect sizes of the relationships were analyzed according to Cramer's V values. Results: According to the P-BIQ (CVI=0.836, ICC &gt;0.737), at least 74% of therapists reported that the PBC positively affected children (compliance with therapy and home program, body structure and function, activity and participation, environmental adaptations), parents (compliance with therapy and home program) and themselves (sense of professional competence and motivation). Compliance of the child, parent, and therapist was positively associated with the child's activity and participation levels and environmental adaptation (p

Results from Chile's 2022 report card on physical activity for children and adolescents

PurposeTo summarize the results of Chile's 2022 Report Card (RC) on physical activity (PA) for Children and Adolescents. MethodsChile's 2022 RC included ten core PA indicators common to the Global Matrix 4.0. Evidence from scientific articles, reports, and databases published between 2018 and January 2022 was included for each indicator. The data were collected and analyzed by a national scientific committee, which assigned letter grades (A to F) using a consensus based on benchmarks defined and revised by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance. ResultsThe committee assigned the following grades: Overall PA, D−; Organized Sports and Physical Activity Participation, C−; Active Play, Incomplete; Active Transportation, D; Sedentary Behavior, D−; Physical Fitness, Incomplete; Family and Peers, D; School, C; Community and Environment, D+; Government, A−. ConclusionsChile's 2022 RC, like its previous versions, shows persistently low grades for most indicators. Overall PA remained nearly unchanged, while Community and Environment scored lower. Slight improvements were seen in Organized Sports, Family and Peers, and School Environment. While Chile has endeavored to increase children's activity levels, policies require implementation through a systemic, coherent framework to promote sustainable changes and reach a larger portion of children and youth.

Leisure Time Habits and Levels of Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents.

Childhood and adolescence are important stages of life for acquiring healthy habits. There is a high prevalence of sedentary lifestyles worldwide during these ages, which negatively impacts health. This is attributed, in part, to excessive time spent engaging in sedentary behaviors. The aim of this study was to assess the time spent on sedentary behaviors and their relationship with physical activity levels in children and adolescents in the Community of Madrid. A total of 26,729 participants aged 10-17 from various schools and institutes took part in this study. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) was used, and they were asked about the time they spent on different leisure time habits (specific sedentary behaviors and organized physical activity). A generalized linear model was used to analyze the association between the time spent in sedentary activities and the time spent in physical activity. The results revealed that children and adolescents engage in low levels of physical activity and most of them spend considerable time in sedentary behaviors such as studying, watching television, or using social media. Completing school homework (Coef: 1.23, 95% CI: -0.51 to 2.97, p = 0.167) or using social media for more than 2 h (Coef: 1.29, 95% CI: -2.98 to 0.40, p = 0.133) compared to not dedicating time to them did not show a significant association with daily physical activity time. Watching television for more than 2 h was associated with a decrease of 2.60 min (95% CI: -4.41 to -0.78, p = 0.005). Thus, no or only irrelevant associations were found between time spent in sedentary activities and physical activity time. Despite the drawbacks of spending time engaging in sedentary behaviors, they seem to be compatible with physical activity levels. Therefore, it is important to continue research on physical activity adherence strategies to promote overall health and well-being.

The Role of Physical Literacy in the Association Between Weather and Physical Activity: A Longitudinal Multilevel Analysis With 951 Children.

Numerous studies showed an effect of weather on physical activity (PA) levels in children. However, no study has yet examined the relevance of personal factors in this relationship. Therefore, this study analyzes (1) whether there are systematic interindividual differences in the extent to which weather affects the PA behavior and (2) whether physical literacy (PL) moderates the weather-PA association in children. A total of 951 children in 12 Danish schools (age 9.76 [1.59]y; 54.3% girls) completed objective PA assessments via accelerometry (moderate to vigorous PA, light PA, and sedentary behavior). Local weather data (precipitation, wind speed, temperature, and sunshine duration) were provided by the Danish Meteorological Institute. Participants' PL was measured employing the Danish version of the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy-2. The 4116 accelerometer days underwent longitudinal multilevel analyses while considering their nesting into pupils and school classes (n = 51). Fluctuations in all PA indicators were significantly explained by variations in weather conditions, especially precipitation (P ≤ .035). Significant interindividual differences were found for 9 of 12 analytical dimensions, suggesting that weather changes influence PA behavior differently across individuals (especially moderate to vigorous PA, χ2[4] ≥ 11.5, P ≤ .021). However, PL moderated the relationship between weather and PA in only 2 of the 48 analytical constellations. Despite the varying impact of weather on PA across individuals, the present study favors a main effect model in which weather and PL exert independent effects on children's PA. The insufficient support for PL as a moderating factor calls for future studies to test alternative mechanisms in the weather-PA association.

Differences in Objective Physical Activity Between Children With Visual Impairment and Those With Normal Sight.

To compare objective physical activity (PA) levels of children with visual impairment (VI) and children with normal sight. One hundred children with VI and 100 age- and gender-matched normal-sighted peers 7 to 17years of age wore an ActiGraph for 1 week. Activity count per minute (cpm) was modeled using a series of generalized linear mixed-effects models including vision, age, sex, time of day, and vision by time of day interaction. PA outcomes included mean counts per minute and proportion of time spent on sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous intensity PA. Data of 83 children with VI and 77 normal-sighted peers were included. Mean counts per minute were lower in children with VI (P < 0.001), especially during and after school. Children with VI were less sedentary (55%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 53-57) than children with normal sight before school (62%; 95% CI, 60-64) and over weekends: children with VI, 41% (95% CI, 39-43); children with normal sight, 45% (95% CI, 43-47). Yet, children with VI were more sedentary during school (36%; 95% CI, 34-37) compared with children with normal sight (30%; 95% CI, 29-32). They also spent more time performing light PA and less time performing moderate PA at school and vigorous PA across all periods of day (P < 0.001). Children with VI participated in light and moderate PA but did not perform as much vigorous PA as children with normal sight, especially during school hours. There is a need to promote more intense PA programs in schools tailored for children with VI.

A quasi-experimental investigation of young children's activity levels and movements in equipment-based and naturalized outdoor play environments

Playing outdoors is beneficial for children's development and learning. Investigating how children's play varies in different types of outdoor environments can offer valuable insight to better support their development. As part of a larger comprehensive study examining the impact of naturalizing outdoor play environments, this article focuses on investigating young children's physical activity levels and movements on equipment-based and a naturalized outdoor play environments at a licensed early childhood education and care setting. Through a quasi-experimental mixed method design, the present study used wrist- and hip-worn accelerometers as well as spatial behaviour mapping to investigate the level of physical activity and movement between the two types of outdoor play environments. Findings from the accelerometer data indicated a significant decrease in moderate-vigorous physical activity, and a significant increase in sedentary behaviour in the naturalized outdoor play environment. Spatial behaviour mapping revealed that this decrease in physical activity post-naturalization could be due to children engaging in longer periods of more clustered (i.e., multiple experiences in a similar area) play interactions and experiences on the naturalized outdoor play environment compared to the equipment-based environment. This research is valuable for considering how children's more holistic development could be supported on a naturalized outdoor play environment to inform pedagogical and policy decisions.

A 10-week play-based after-school program to improve coordinative abilities and physical fitness capabilities among adolescents: a randomized trial

The average levels of physical activity in children are below the ideal, which may influence children's health and motor competence levels. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of a 10-week play-based after-school program on 50 twelve-year-old students’ anthropometric characteristics (body height and body weight), coordinative abilities (flamingo balance test and T-test agility), and physical fitness (sit and reach, 20-m sprint test, SLJ, CMJ, and handgrip). After baseline assessments, the students were randomly divided into two groups: one participating in a play-based after-school program (experimental group) and the other attending regular PE classes (control group). No differences were noted between the sexes. Analysis revealed baseline differences between groups in body weight, agility T-test, and right-handgrip, with no significant sex differences. Following the intervention, the experimental group demonstrated improvements in the 20-m sprint test (F(1,46) = 11.03, p < 0.01), flamingo balance test (F(1,46) = 9.16, p = 0.004), SLJ (F(1,46) = 5.30, p = 0.03), agility T-test (F(1,46) = 28.30, p < 0.01), and right-handgrip (F(1,46) = 6.59, p < 0.01). In summary, the results suggested that a 10-week play-based after-school program enhances coordinative abilities and physical fitness in 12-year-old children. This underscores the potential advantages of integrating play-based physical activities into schools to promote holistic health and fitness in children.

Modelling cycling to school in Finland

Active travel to school is an important contributor to the physical activity levels of children and adolescents and the source of many health benefits. In this work, we model cycling to school in Finland. The probability to cycle on a given trip is modelled using a binary logistic regression model based on trip length, average route gradient, the cyclist’s gender, and age. Variables denoting the city regions were also included to account for differences in cycling cultures and infrastructure. In addition, weather variables were added as cycling levels in Finland are highly dependent on the season. Air temperature and the presence of snow were found to reflect well the observed seasonal variations. The observed influence of winter conditions on trip distances and the cycling of girls is also replicated in the model through interaction terms. This model is employed to explore two sustainable mobility scenarios: a scenario where the cycling of girls increases to the same level as that of boys and a scenario where all school children cycle as much as those living in Oulu, Finland’s top cycling region. Our results suggest that it would be possible to increase the number of trips by bicycle and cycled mileage significantly, up to 76 % in the Oulu scenario, even though school children already cycle much more than the general population.

Investigation of the Relationship between Physical Activity Level and Quality of Life in Children with Specific Learning Disabilities using Regression Analysis

It has been reported that the academic skills of children with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) and their participation in physical activity may be affected. This study aimed to examine the relationship between physical activity level and quality of life in children with SLDs. The study was conducted with children diagnosed with SLDs at the Afyonkarahisar Special Education and Rehabilitation Center. Once the sociodemographic information of the participants was recorded, their physical activity levels were determined using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C, ages 8-14 years), and their quality of life levels were assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). A total of 51 individuals, 21 girls and 30 boys, were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 10.58±1.51 years. Physical activity score had a weak positive correlation with the physical health summary score (rspearman=0.342, p=0.014); weak positive correlations with the emotional functionality score (rspearman=0.308, p=0.028) and the school functionality score (rspearman=0.337, p=0.016); and moderate positive correlations with the school functionality score (rspearman=0.427, p=0.002), the psychosocial health summary score (rspearman=0.440, p=0.001), and the total PedsQL score (rspearman=0.462, p=0.042). In addition, the physical activity score was determined to statistically significantly predict the total PedsQL score (F=13.297; p=0.001). In conclusion, this study revealed that the physical activity levels of children with SLDs significantly affected their quality of life.

Parents’ knowledge, perceptions and support around appropriate physical activity, screen time and sleep time levels for children

BackgroundMany governments worldwide have established guidelines regarding children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviors linked to positive health outcomes. While research has established low adherence to these guideline levels, it is unclear whether parents’ knowledge, perceptions, and support around these behaviors might be barriers to adherence.AimsThis study examines parents’ knowledge and agreement with guideline levels of physical activity, screen time, and sleep time, as well as their support for these behaviors.MethodsParents of 5–12-year-old children who presented to a regional general practitioner (GP) office in New South Wales (NSW) responded to a survey regarding their child’s physical activity, screen, and sleep time, as well as what they believed to be guideline levels, their perceived ideal levels, and the levels of support they provide for each of these behaviors.ResultsParents’ perceived ideal levels for their child’s physical activity and screen time were more ambitious than government levels and were consistent with sleep time guidelines. There were, however, few associations between parent support levels and children’s actual or perceived ideal levels of these behaviors.DiscussionThe findings suggest that parents’ perceptions of ideal levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior may not hinder adherence to government guidelines. However, inconsistent, or ineffective support strategies can constrain adherence and thus be a viable intervention target.

Plasma pentraxin-3 levels and its role in childhood obesity-Is it anti-inflammatory? A matched group study.

Obesity has been associated with chronic low-grade systemic inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) with anthropometric measurements, dietary content and physical activity level in children. A matched group study. This study was conducted with 91 children aged 6-17 years, divided into two groups: "non-obese group" (Body Mass Index Standard Deviation Score [BMI SDS] <95th percentile) and "obese group" (BMI SDS ≥95th percentile). Plasma PTX-3 levels. The mean age of 91 children included in the study was 12.34 ± 2.86 years. Plasma PTX-3 levels were significantly higher in obese children (p = .028). No significant correlation was found between BMI SDS and plasma PTX-3 values, but a weak positive correlation was found when physical activity level was controlled (r = .176, p = .049). In addition, it was found that fat mass was a partial mediator of plasma PTX-3 level, and an increase in the amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue negatively affected plasma PTX-3 level. Plasma PTX-3 level showed a weak positive correlation (r = .223, p = .017) with physical activity score and dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid intake, while a weak negative correlation with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. One unit increase in physical activity score or polyunsaturated fatty acid level caused 0.730 and 2.061 unit increases in plasma PTX-3 level, respectively; while one unit increase in dietary fat intake caused 0.413-unit decrease. There was an indirect relationship between the amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue and PTX-3 level. The results of our study suggested that plasma PTX-3 was associated with lower levels of inflammation in children.

An Exploration of Swedish Adolescents’ Experiences of Mobile Apps for Physical Activity

Recent reports on children and adolescents’ physical activity indicate that approximately 80% do not meet the World Health Organisation’s recommended levels of physical activity. Childhood is a critical period of development; as such, it is important to prioritize health promotion in this phase of one’s life. Use of gamification in mobile apps has been shown to positively influence physical activity levels in children and adolescents. Inclusion of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) has been noted to increase the effect of health promoting interventions. Previous research highlights that children and adolescents find the BCTs of goal setting/planning, feedback, reward, self-monitoring, social comparison, and social support to be of interest. The aim of this study was to explore Swedish adolescents’ experience with physical activity and apps with a focus on the influence of BCTs. Three focus group interviews were undertaken with a total of 18 participants (11-15 years of age). The data were explored using reflective thematic analysis. In addition to the BCTs identified in previous research, participants in the present study indicated they were positive about mobile apps providing instruction on how to perform a behaviour, demonstration of the behaviour, and the influence of removal of reward. Other attractive features of physical activities apps included developing a streak, competition, and provision of an adequate level of challenge. The present study contributes to a deeper understanding of how BCTs and other features can be implemented in physical activity apps, where individualization and renewal appear to be more important than the actual content features. These findings are important for future work to create interventions that increase the level of physical activity among adolescents both in Sweden and other countries.

Teaching Developmentally Appropriate Physical Activities During Planned Active Breaks in Schools

Considering that global physical activity levels in young children continue to decline, planned breaks during the school day provide a unique opportunity to promote the importance of physical activity while also increasing student engagement in movement activities. This article provides information on the benefits of and recommendations for active breaks.