ERIC Number: EJ1143277
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Jul
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Changes in Physical Activity in the School, Afterschool, and Evening Periods during the Transition from Elementary to Middle School
Lau, Erica Y.; Dowda, Marsha; McIver, Kerry L.; Pate, Russell R.
Journal of School Health, v87 n7 p531-537 Jul 2017
Background: We examined longitudinal changes in children's physical activity during the school day, afterschool, and evening across fifth, sixth, and seventh grades. Methods: The analytical sample included children who had valid accelerometer data in fifth grade and at least one other time-point, and provided complete sociodemographic information (N = 768, 751, and 612 for the 3 time-periods studied). Accelerometer-derived total physical activity (TPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were expressed in minutes per hour for the school day (~7:45 am to 3:30 pm), afterschool (~2:25 to 6:00 pm), and evening (6:00 to 10:00 pm) periods. We used growth curve analyses to examine changes in TPA and MVPA. Results: School day TPA and MVPA declined significantly; we observed a greater decrease from fifth to sixth grades than from sixth to seventh grades. Afterschool TPA declined significantly, but MVPA increased significantly among girls and remained stable for boys. Evening TPA decreased significantly and MVPA declined significantly in girls and remained stable among boys. Conclusions: To inform the development of effective intervention strategies, research should focus on examining factors associated with the decline in physical activity during the transition from elementary to middle school, particularly during the hours when children are in school.
Descriptors: Behavior Change, Physical Activity Level, Gender Differences, Longitudinal Studies, Measurement, Electronic Equipment, Grade 6, Grade 5, Grade 7, Statistical Analysis, Intervention, Correlation, Elementary School Students, Middle School Students, Student Behavior
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 6; Intermediate Grades; Middle Schools; Elementary Education; Grade 5; Grade 7; Junior High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (DHHS/NIH)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: R01HL091002
Author Affiliations: N/A