ERIC Number: EJ1058444
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-May
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1356-336X
EISSN: N/A
Physical Activity in High School during "Free-Time" Periods
Silva, Pedro; Sousa, Michael; Sá, Carla; Ribeiro, José; Mota, Jorge
European Physical Education Review, v21 n2 p135-148 May 2015
The purpose of this study was to examine youth physical activity (PA) in free-time periods during high school days and their contribution to total PA. Differences in terms of sex, age, body mass index and school level were assessed in a sample of Portuguese adolescents. Participants totalled 213 (135 girls), aged 14.6 ± 1.7, from two different Portuguese schools, 69 attending an urban school and 144 attending a rural school. Activity levels of five free-time periods were assessed with an accelerometry-based activity monitor (ActiGraph). The results indicated that boys had significantly higher levels of PA (counts min[superscript-1]) than girls for two of the five periods (afternoon recess and after-school time). Activity levels were higher among younger students during three periods (before school, morning recess and afternoon recess). Significant differences in activity levels (p < 0.001) between the two schools were also found. Despite being older the rural students were more active than urban. In conclusion, free-time periods in high school are a relevant context for PA promotion. In this study they contributed significantly for total daily PA in both sexes, with 37.7-42.7% for girls and 40.1-42.1% for boys.
Descriptors: Physical Activity Level, Recess Breaks, High School Students, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Body Composition, Body Weight, Instructional Program Divisions, Urban Schools, Rural Schools, Measurement Equipment, Rural Urban Differences, Foreign Countries, Leisure Time, Diaries, Statistical Analysis, Regression (Statistics)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Portugal
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A