ERIC Number: EJ1050255
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Mar
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
The Impact of Playworks on Boys' and Girls' Physical Activity during Recess
Bleeker, Martha; Beyler, Nicholas; James-Burdumy, Susanne; Fortson, Jane
Journal of School Health, v85 n3 p171-178 Mar 2015
Background: School-based programs, such as Playworks, that guide students in organized activities during recess and make improvements to the recess play yard may lead to significant increases in physical activity--especially for girls. This study builds on past research by investigating the impact of Playworks separately for girls and boys. Methods: Twenty-nine schools were randomly assigned to receive Playworks for 1 school year or serve as a control group. Postintervention physical activity data were collected via accelerometers and recess observations. Impacts were estimated separately for girls and boys using regression models. Results: Girls in Playworks schools had significantly higher accelerometer intensity counts and spent more time in vigorous physical activity than girls in control schools. No significant differences based on accelerometer data were found for boys. A significant impact was also found on the types of activities in which girls engaged during recess; girls in the treatment group were less likely than those in the control group to be sedentary and more likely to engage in jumping, tag, and playground games. Conclusions: The current findings suggest that Playworks had a significant impact on some measures of girls' physical activity, but no significant impact on measures of boys' physical activity.
Descriptors: Recess Breaks, Play, Improvement Programs, Experimental Groups, Control Groups, Pretests Posttests, Physical Activity Level, Physical Activities, Gender Differences, Observation, Measures (Individuals), Playground Activities, Program Effectiveness, Program Evaluation, Investigations
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A