Physical activity in a school recess: intervention study with children aged 6 to 12 years

Abstract

This study analysed the effects of an intervention in a playground, in the physical activity level of children aged 6 to 12 years and explore differences between genders and age groups. The sample comprises 158 children (7.81 ± 1.17 years). Physical activity was accessed by accelerometry and weight was objectively measured. The children were evaluated in two different moments: 1) with an "empty" playground (before intervention); 2) with an "improved" playground (after intervention - with introduction of materials). On both moments, subjects were accessed during the 30 minutes of the school recess. The results showed that the intervention in the playground resulted in a significant increase in the physical activity level (>; 3 MET's) in both gender and age groups. This study allow us to take the following conclusions: the children who took part in this research benefited from the playground intervention, what makes us believe that its implementation in other schools would be worthwhile. School recess seems to be a privileged space to promote physical activity in young children that cannot be neglected.