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ERIC Number: EJ1102851
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Jul
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Feasibility and Effects of Short Activity Breaks for Increasing Preschool-Age Children's Physical Activity Levels
Alhassan, Sofiya; Nwaokelemeh, Ogechi; Mendoza, Albert; Shitole, Sanyog; Puleo, Elaine; Pfeiffer, Karin A.; Whitt-Glover, Melicia C.
Journal of School Health, v86 n7 p526-533 Jul 2016
Background: We examined the effects of short bouts of structured physical activity (SBS-PA) implemented within the classroom setting as part of designated gross-motor playtime on preschoolers PA. Methods: Preschools were randomized to SBS-PA (centers, N = 5; participants, N = 141) or unstructured free playtime (UPA) (centers, N = 5; participants, N = 150). SBS-PA consisted of structured PA implemented in the classroom during the first 10 minutes of gross-motor playtime followed by 20 minutes of free playtime. UPA consisted of 30 minutes of unstructured free playtime. Teachers implemented both conditions for 5 days/week for 6 months. PA was assessed with accelerometers (preschool-day) and direct observation (30-minute sessions). Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine the impact of the intervention. Results: Regarding the 30-minute sessions, significant group main effects were observed for intervals spent at light (p < 0.001) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA, p < 0.001). Regarding the preschool-day PA, significant group by visit interaction was observed for percent time spent in total preschool-day MVPA (F (2, 254) = 3.54, p = 0.03). Percent of time spent in MVPA significantly decreased in both groups at 3 months and at 6 months. Conclusion: SBS-PA can be implemented in classroom settings; however, further research is needed to examine its impact on preschoolers PA levels.
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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
Author Affiliations: N/A