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Egan SM, Pope J. Streets ahead: Neighborhood safety and active outdoor play in early childhood using a nationally representative sample of 5-year-olds. Child Dev 2024. [PMID: 39073404 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.14132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Using data from a nationally representative sample of 5-year-olds in the Growing Up in Ireland study (N = 9001, 51% male), this research investigated the role of factors in the neighborhood environment on levels of active outdoor play in young children. Primary caregivers (98% mothers; 81% Irish) responded to questions regarding their child's levels of active outdoor play (e.g., chasing) and their perceptions of their neighborhood (e.g., social cohesion and antisocial behavior). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that levels of active outdoor play were associated with parental perceptions of neighborhood safety and traffic levels, even after other factors were controlled for (i.e., family income). The results are discussed from a bioecological systems perspective. Implications for policy makers and parents are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M Egan
- Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Jennifer Pope
- Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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2
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Aliyas Z, Collins PA, Sylvestre MP, Frohlich KL. Investigating social inequalities in children's independent mobility, active transportation and outdoor free play in two Canadian cities. Prev Med Rep 2024; 39:102642. [PMID: 38352241 PMCID: PMC10861842 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Active transportation (AT) and free play (FP) are the primary ways in which children engage in unstructured physical activity in cities, with independent mobility (IM) gaining increased attention as a potential precursor of AT and FP. However, current trends show that children are engaging in less FP and AT, and have less IM, than previous generations and it is not well understood how these practices, and their interrelatedness, differ by neighbourhood-level socio-economic stats (SES) and municipal contexts. Objectives This study aims to address the gaps in knowledge by quantifying, comparing, and correlating IM, AT, and FP practices in high and low-SES neighbourhoods within and across the cities of Montreal and Kingston, Canada. Methods 584 questionnaires were distributed among children in grades 1 to 5, living in low- and high-SES neighbourhoods of these two citiesResultsEngagement in the three practices was low in every study neighbourhood, though all three practices were higher in high-SES compared to low-SES neighbourhoods in both cities. Levels of FP were higher in Kingston compared to Montreal, while AT was higher in Montreal than in Kingston. Conclusion This study revealed social inequalities in all three of these practices based on socioeconomic status and city. Since IM is likely a precursor to both independent FP and AT, more research is warranted into how our cities can become more conducive to IM in children, particularly in low SES neighbourhoods where children have less freedom of movement independently and otherwise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Aliyas
- Centre de recherche en santé publique (CReSP), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Patricia A. Collins
- Department of Geography and Planning, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marie-Pierre Sylvestre
- Département de médecine sociale et préventive, École de santé publique de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de recherche du centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Katherine L. Frohlich
- Centre de recherche en santé publique (CReSP), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Département de médecine sociale et préventive, École de santé publique de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Dodd HF, Nesbit RJ, FitzGibbon L. Child's Play: Examining the Association Between Time Spent Playing and Child Mental Health. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023; 54:1678-1686. [PMID: 35562504 PMCID: PMC9106508 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-022-01363-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
It is theorised that adventurous play offers learning opportunities that help to prevent mental health problems in children. In this study, data from two samples is used to examine associations between the time that children aged 5-11 years spent playing adventurously and their mental health. For comparison, time spent playing unadventurously and time spent playing outdoors are also examined. Study 1 includes a sample of 417 parents, Study 2 includes data from a nationally representative sample of 1919 parents. Small, significant associations between adventurous play and internalising problems, as well as positive affect during the first UK-wide Covid-19 lockdown, were found; children who spend more time playing adventurously had fewer internalising problems and more positive affect during the Covid-19 lockdown. Study 2 showed that these associations were stronger for children from lower income families than for children from higher income families. The results align with theoretical hypotheses about adventurous play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen F. Dodd
- Children and Young People’s Mental Health Research Collaboration (ChyMe), College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, 2.05b South Cloisters, St Luke’s Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU UK
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences (PCLS), University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Rachel J. Nesbit
- Children and Young People’s Mental Health Research Collaboration (ChyMe), College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, 2.05b South Cloisters, St Luke’s Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU UK
| | - Lily FitzGibbon
- Children and Young People’s Mental Health Research Collaboration (ChyMe), College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, 2.05b South Cloisters, St Luke’s Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU UK
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences (PCLS), University of Reading, Reading, UK
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De Fano A, Benzing V, Condello G, Ballester R, Tocci N, Marchetti R, Pesce C, Schmidt M. How divergent are children's divergent movements? The role of cognition and expertise in a class-randomized cross-over trial. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2023; 65:102373. [PMID: 37665826 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed at investigating (1) the cognitive and motor predictors of divergent movement ability (DMA) in childhood and (2) the role of sport and enriched physical education (PE) experience. Participants were 165 fifth graders, aged 10-11 years, with different histories (onset and duration) of participation in enriched PE. They were assessed in cognitive/attentional and motor/sport skills and active play/sport habits at baseline, and six months later in DMA. Results of regression analyses showed an overall prediction of DMA by sport practice and a nuanced prediction of individual DMA indices (fluency, flexibility, originality) by decision making and spatial attention ability. Linear mixed models revealed better DMA in children exposed to enriched PE, with differential effects on DMA indices depending on its duration and earlier/later onset. The results identify novel cognitive determinants of children's DMA and suggest that sport practice and experience of designed enrichment in PE may benefit DMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio De Fano
- University of Chieti and Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Via dei Vestini 33, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Valentin Benzing
- University of Bern, Institute of Sport Science, Bremgartenstrasse 145, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Giancarlo Condello
- University of Parma, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Via Gramsci 14, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Rafael Ballester
- Catholic University of Valencia "San Vicente Martir", Department of Athletic Training, Carrer de Quevedo, 2, 46001, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nicoletta Tocci
- University of Rome "Foro Italico", Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Piazza Lauro De Bosis 6, 00135, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosalba Marchetti
- University of Rome "Foro Italico", Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Piazza Lauro De Bosis 6, 00135, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Pesce
- University of Rome "Foro Italico", Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Piazza Lauro De Bosis 6, 00135, Rome, Italy.
| | - Mirko Schmidt
- University of Bern, Institute of Sport Science, Bremgartenstrasse 145, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
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Tocci N, Scibinetti P, Mazzoli E, Mavilidi MF, Masci I, Schmidt M, Pesce C. Giving Ideas Some Legs or Legs Some Ideas? Children's Motor Creativity Is Enhanced by Physical Activity Enrichment: Direct and Mediated Paths. Front Psychol 2022; 13:806065. [PMID: 35360626 PMCID: PMC8960453 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.806065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Approaches to foster motor creativity differ according to whether creative movements are assumed to be enacted creative ideas, or solutions to emerging motor problems that arise from task and environmental constraints. The twofold aim of the current study was to investigate whether (1) an enriched physical education (PE) intervention delivered with a joint constraints-led and cognitive stimulation approach fosters motor creativity, and the responsiveness to the intervention is moderated by baseline motor and cognitive skills and sex; (2) the intervention may benefit motor creativity through gains in motor coordination, executive function, and creative thinking. Ninety-five children, aged 6-9 years, participated in a 6-month group randomized trial with specialist-led enriched PE vs. generalist-led conventional PE. Before and after the intervention, Bertsch's Test of Motor Creativity, Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Random Number Generation task and Torrance Test of Creative Thinking were administered. Linear mixed models were run accounting for the random effects of data clusters. Multiple mediation analysis was performed to assess whether motor coordination, executive function and creative thinking mediated any improvement of motor creativity. Results showed that (1) specialist-led enriched PE, compared to generalist-led conventional practice, elicited a more pronounced improvement in all motor creativity dimensions (fluency, flexibility, and originality) independently of baseline levels of motor and cognitive skills and sex; and (2) improved motor creativity was partially mediated by improved motor coordination and, as regards motor flexibility, also by improved inhibitory ability. In conclusion, enriching PE with tailored manipulations of constraints and variability may enhance the ability to create multiple and original task-pertinent movements both directly and through indirect paths. The results are discussed extending to motor creativity a theoretical framework that distinguishes different creativity modes. The intervention may have fostered the generation of creative movements directly through the exposure to variation in constraints, activating the sensorimotor 'flow' mode of creativity that bypasses higher-order cognition, but also indirectly through a systematic and conscious convergence on solutions, activating the 'deliberate' mode of creativity that relies on inhibition to reject common or task-inappropriate movement categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Tocci
- General Psychology Laboratory, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Scibinetti
- General Psychology Laboratory, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Emiliano Mazzoli
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Faculty of Health, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Ilaria Masci
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mirko Schmidt
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Caterina Pesce
- Exercise and Cognition Laboratory, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
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Condello G, Mazzoli E, Masci I, De Fano A, Ben-Soussan TD, Marchetti R, Pesce C. Fostering Holistic Development with a Designed Multisport Intervention in Physical Education: A Class-Randomized Cross-Over Trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18189871. [PMID: 34574794 PMCID: PMC8467800 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Physical education (PE) is acknowledged as a relevant context for holistic child and youth development promotion. However, interventional research mostly builds on individual theories focused on specific outcome domains. This study presents a multisport enriched PE intervention that capitalizes on the intersection of different theory-based approaches to motor, cognitive and socio-emotional skills development promotion. With a cross-over design, 181 fifth graders, coming from a past class-randomized trial of enriched or traditional PE in their 1st–3rd grade, were stratified (based on their previous PE experience) and class-randomized to multisport enriched PE or control group. They completed pre-post assessments in motor and sport skills, cool (inhibition, working memory) and hot (decision making) executive functions, prosocial (empathy, cooperation) and antisocial (quick-temperedness, disruptiveness) behaviors. Children in the enriched PE group showed advantages in motor and prosocial skills after the intervention, which were linked by a mediation path, and an interactive effect of past and actual PE experience on decision making but no differential effects on other variables. The results suggest that a PE intervention designed with an integrative theory base, although not allowing disentangling the contribution of individual components to its efficacy, may help pursue benefits in motor and non-motor domains relevant to whole-child development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Condello
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy;
| | - Emiliano Mazzoli
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong 3125, Australia;
| | - Ilaria Masci
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonio De Fano
- Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics Center, Università degli Studi G. d’Annunzio Chieti e Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Tal Dotan Ben-Soussan
- Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Research Institute for Neuroscience, Education, and Didactics, Patrizio Paoletti Foundation, 06081 Assisi, Italy;
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Illan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | | | - Caterina Pesce
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-063-6733-3366
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Development and evaluation of a new measure of children's play: the Children's Play Scale (CPS). BMC Public Health 2021; 21:878. [PMID: 33962587 PMCID: PMC8103430 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10812-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is increasing recognition of the importance of children’s play from a public health perspective, given the links between play and children’s physical and mental health. The present research aimed to develop and evaluate a new parent-report questionnaire that measures the time children spend playing across a range of places and includes a supplement to evaluate how adventurously children play. Methods The questionnaire was developed with input from a diverse group of parents and experts in children’s play. It was designed to yield a range of metrics including time spent playing per year, time spent playing outside, time spent playing in nature and level of adventurous play. The reliability of the questionnaire was then evaluated with 245 parents (149 mothers, 96 fathers) of 154 children aged 5–11 years. All participants completed the measure at time 1. At time 2, an average of 20 days later, 184 parents (111 mothers and 73 fathers) of 99 children completed the measure again. Results Cross-informant agreement, evaluated using Concordance Correlation Coefficients (CCCs), ranged from 0.36 to 0.51. These fall in the poor to moderate range and are largely comparable to cross-informant agreement on other measures. Test-retest reliability for mothers was good (range 0.67–0.76) for time spent playing metrics. For fathers, test-retest reliability was lower (range 0.39–0.63). For both parents the average level of adventurous play variable had relatively poor test retest reliability (mothers = 0.49, fathers = 0.42). This variable also showed a significant increase from time 1 to time 2. This instability over time may be due to the timing of the research in relation to the Covid-19 lockdown and associated shifts in risk perception. Conclusions The measure will be of value in future research focusing on the public health benefits and correlates of children’s play as well as researchers interested in children’s outdoor play and play in nature specifically. The development of the measure in collaboration with parents and experts in children’s play is a significant strength. It will be of value for future research to further validate the measure against play diaries or activity monitors. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10812-x.
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Pesce C, Lakes KD, Stodden DF, Marchetti R. Fostering Self-Control Development With a Designed Intervention in Physical Education: A Two-Year Class-Randomized Trial. Child Dev 2020; 92:937-958. [PMID: 32840871 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated whether a theory-based intervention in physical education (PE) designed to train self-control may positively impact children's quick-temperedness and disruptiveness and whether changes in executive functions (EFs) may be a correlate or antecedent of such effects. One hundred and sixteen children aged 8-9 years participated in a 2-year intervention and completed three assessments at baseline, 6- and 18-month follow-ups in quick-temperedness and disruptiveness, hot and cool EFs. After the intervention, children in the intervention group showed lower quick-temperedness and disruptiveness and improvement in hot EF. Changes over the intervention period were moderately associated and showed marginal evidence of causal ordering, suggesting that designed PE may benefit self-control through a possible linkage to hot EF improvement.
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A Systematic Review on Clinimetric Properties of Play Instruments for Occupational Therapy Practice. Occup Ther Int 2020; 2020:2490519. [PMID: 32821250 PMCID: PMC7416293 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2490519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Play is considered the main occupation for children. Pediatric occupational therapists utilize play either for evaluation or intervention purpose. However, play is not properly measured by occupational therapists, and the use of play instrument is limited. This systematic review was aimed at identifying play instruments relevant to occupational therapy practice and its clinimetric properties. A systematic search was conducted on six databases (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection, Scopus, and ASEAN Citation Index) in January 2020. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using Law and MacDermid's Appraisal for Clinical Measurement Research Reports, and psychometric properties of play instruments were evaluated using Terwee's checklist while the clinical utility is extracted from each instrument. Initial search identifies 1,098 articles, and only 30 articles were included in the final analysis, extracting 8 play instruments. These instruments were predominantly practiced in the Western culture, which consists of several psychometric evidences. The Revised Knox Preschool Play Scale is considered the most extensive and comprehensive play instrument for extrinsic aspect, whereas the Test of Playfulness + Test of Environmental Supportiveness Unifying Measure is a promising play instrument for intrinsic aspect on play, where both instruments utilize observation. My Child's Play is a potential questionnaire-based play instrument. However, the current development of play instruments in the occupational therapy field is immature and constantly evolving, and occupational therapists should exercise good clinical reasoning when selecting a play instrument to use in practice.
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Klakk H, Wester CT, Olesen LG, Rasmussen MG, Kristensen PL, Pedersen J, Grøntved A. The development of a questionnaire to assess leisure time screen-based media use and its proximal correlates in children (SCREENS-Q). BMC Public Health 2020; 20:664. [PMID: 32397984 PMCID: PMC7216486 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08810-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The screen-media landscape has changed drastically during the last decade with wide-scale ownership and use of new portable touchscreen-based devices plausibly causing changes in the volume of screen media use and the way children and young people entertain themselves and communicate with friends and family members. This rapid development is not sufficiently mirrored in available tools for measuring children’s screen media use. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a parent-reported standardized questionnaire to assess 6–10-year old children’s multiple screen media use and habits, their screen media environment, and its plausible proximal correlates based on a suggested socio-ecological model. Methods An iterative process was conducted developing the SCREENS questionnaire. Informed by the literature, media experts and end-users, a conceptual framework was made to guide the development of the questionnaire. Parents and media experts evaluated face and content validity. Pilot and field testing in the target group was conducted to assess test-retest reliability using Kappa statistics and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Construct validity of relevant items was assessed using pairwise non-parametric correlations (Spearman’s). The SCREENS questionnaire is based on a multidimensional and formative model. Results The SCREENS questionnaire covers six domains validated to be important factors of screen media use in children and comprises 19 questions and 92 items. Test-retest reliability (n = 37 parents) for continuous variables was moderate to substantial with ICC’s ranging from 0.67 to 0.90. For relevant nominal and ordinal data, kappa values were all above 0.50 with more than 80% of the values above 0.61 indicating good test-retest reliability. Internal consistency between two different time use variables (from n = 243) showed good correlations with rho ranging from 0.59 to 0.66. Response-time was within 15 min for all participants. Conclusions SCREENS-Q is a comprehensive tool to assess children’s screen media habits, the screen media environment and possible related correlates. It is a feasible questionnaire with multiple validated constructs and moderate to substantial test-retest reliability of all evaluated items. The SCREENS-Q is a promising tool to investigate children screen media use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Klakk
- Research Unit for Exercise Epidemiology, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark. .,Research Center for Applied Health Science, University College Lillebælt, 5230, Odense M, Denmark.
| | - Christian Tolstrup Wester
- Research Unit for Exercise Epidemiology, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Line Grønholt Olesen
- Research Unit for Exercise Epidemiology, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Martin Gillies Rasmussen
- Research Unit for Exercise Epidemiology, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Peter Lund Kristensen
- Research Unit for Exercise Epidemiology, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Jesper Pedersen
- Research Unit for Exercise Epidemiology, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Anders Grøntved
- Research Unit for Exercise Epidemiology, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
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Lambert A, Vlaar J, Herrington S, Brussoni M. What Is the Relationship between the Neighbourhood Built Environment and Time Spent in Outdoor Play? A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16203840. [PMID: 31614536 PMCID: PMC6843675 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16203840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Outdoor play has been associated with children’s and adolescents’ healthy development and physical activity. Attributes of the neighbourhood built environment can influence play behaviours. This systematic review examined the relationship between attributes of the neighbourhood built environment and the time children and adolescents (0–18 years) spend in self-directed outdoor play. We identified and evaluated 18 relevant papers using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and developed a narrative synthesis of study results. We found moderate evidence that lower traffic volumes (ages 6–11), yard access (ages 3–10), and increased neighbourhood greenness (ages 2–15) were positively associated with time spent in outdoor play, as well as limited evidence that specific traffic-calming street features such as fewer intersections, low traffic speeds, neighbourhood disorder, and low residential density were positively associated with time spent in outdoor play. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review on this topic. The limited number of “good quality” studies identified highlights the need for additional research on the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janae Vlaar
- Human Early Learning Partnership, University of British Columbia, Suite 440, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| | - Susan Herrington
- School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of British Columbia, 379-2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Mariana Brussoni
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, British Columbia Injury Research & Prevention Unit, F511-4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada.
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12
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Hidding LM, Chinapaw MJM, van Poppel MNM, Mokkink LB, Altenburg TM. An Updated Systematic Review of Childhood Physical Activity Questionnaires. Sports Med 2019; 48:2797-2842. [PMID: 30298479 PMCID: PMC6244567 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-018-0987-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objective This review is an update of a previous review published in 2010, and aims to summarize the available studies on the measurement properties of physical activity questionnaires for young people under the age of 18 years. Methods Systematic literature searches were carried out using the online PubMed, EMBASE, and SPORTDiscus databases up to 2018. Articles had to evaluate at least one of the measurement properties of a questionnaire measuring at least the duration or frequency of children’s physical activity, and be published in the English language. The standardized COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist was used for the quality assessment of the studies. Results This review yielded 87 articles on 89 different questionnaires. Within the 87 articles, 162 studies were conducted: 103 studies assessed construct validity, 50 assessed test–retest reliability, and nine assessed measurement error. Of these studies, 38% were of poor methodological quality and 49% of fair methodological quality. A questionnaire with acceptable validity was found only for adolescents, i.e., the Greek version of the 3-Day Physical Activity Record. Questionnaires with acceptable test–retest reliability were found in all age categories, i.e., preschoolers, children, and adolescents. Conclusion Unfortunately, no questionnaires were identified with conclusive evidence for both acceptable validity and reliability, partly due to the low methodological quality of the studies. This evidence is urgently needed, as current research and practice are using physical activity questionnaires of unknown validity and reliability. Therefore, recommendations for high-quality studies on measurement properties of physical activity questionnaires were formulated in the discussion. PROSPERO Registration Number CRD42016038695. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40279-018-0987-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisan M Hidding
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Mai J M Chinapaw
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mireille N M van Poppel
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Graz, Mozartgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Lidwine B Mokkink
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Teatske M Altenburg
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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13
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Boxberger K, Reimers AK. Parental Correlates of Outdoor Play in Boys and Girls Aged 0 to 12-A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E190. [PMID: 30641874 PMCID: PMC6351982 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16020190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Outdoor play is one major source of physical activity (PA) in children. In particular, parents act as gatekeepers, because they can enable their children's outdoor play. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of parental correlates of outdoor play. A systematic literature research of six electronic databases (ERIC, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, and Web of Science Core Collection) was conducted with previously defined search terms, focusing on children 0⁻12 years old. In total, 1719 potentially publications were screened based on eligibility criteria. Included studies were scored for overall study quality. Findings were summarized using a semi-quantitative method. Twenty-one peer-reviewed publications which examined the relationship of parental correlates and outdoor play were included. Overall, five parental correlates were associated with children's amount of outdoor play: mothers' ethnicity, mothers' employment status, parents' education level, the importance parents assign to outdoor play, and perceived social cohesion in the neighborhood. Merely four studies reported sex/gender-stratified results. In summary, only parents' encouragement/support provided evidence for girls' amount of outdoor play. The findings are considered to be of public health relevance for developing intervention programs to increase outdoor play and for improving child's health. More research, especially considering sex/gender of the child, is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Boxberger
- Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111 Chemnitz, Germany.
| | - Anne Kerstin Reimers
- Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09111 Chemnitz, Germany.
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14
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Perry CK, Ackert E, Sallis JF, Glanz K, Saelens BE. Places where children are active: A longitudinal examination of children's physical activity. Prev Med 2016; 93:88-95. [PMID: 27658898 PMCID: PMC5785088 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Using two-year longitudinal data, we examined locations where children spent time and were active, whether location patterns were stable, and relationships between spending time in their home neighborhood and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). At two time points (2007-2009 and 2009-2011), children living in the metropolitans areas of either San Diego, CA or Seattle, WA wore an accelerometer, and parents recorded their child's locations for seven days. Across two years, global average proportion of time spent in each location was stable, but total time and proportion of time in each location spent in MVPA decreased significantly across all locations. Children spent the largest proportion of time in MVPA in their home neighborhood at both time points, although they spent little time in their home neighborhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia K Perry
- Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing, 3455 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd. Portland, OR 97239, USA; University of Washington Family & Child Nursing, 1959 NE Pacific St Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Ackert
- University of Washington Department of Sociology, 211 Savery Hall, Box 353340, Seattle, WA 98195-3340, United States; University of Texas at Austin, 305 E. 23rd Street, Stop G1800, Austin, TX 78712-1699, United States
| | - James F Sallis
- University of California, San Diego, United States; Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, 3900 Fifth Avenue, Suite 310, San Diego, CA 92103, United States
| | - Karen Glanz
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and School of Nursing, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Brian E Saelens
- University of Washington Department of Pediatrics and Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute, P.O. Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145, USA
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15
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Pesce C, Masci I, Marchetti R, Vazou S, Sääkslahti A, Tomporowski PD. Deliberate Play and Preparation Jointly Benefit Motor and Cognitive Development: Mediated and Moderated Effects. Front Psychol 2016; 7:349. [PMID: 27014155 PMCID: PMC4786558 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In light of the interrelation between motor and cognitive development and the predictive value of the former for the latter, the secular decline observed in motor coordination ability as early as preschool urges identification of interventions that may jointly impact motor and cognitive efficiency. The aim of this study was twofold. It (1) explored the outcomes of enriched physical education (PE), centered on deliberate play and cognitively challenging variability of practice, on motor coordination and cognitive processing; (2) examined whether motor coordination outcomes mediate intervention effects on children's cognition, while controlling for moderation by lifestyle factors as outdoor play habits and weight status. Four hundred and sixty children aged 5-10 years participated in a 6-month group randomized intervention in PE, with or without playful coordinative and cognitive enrichment. The weight status and spontaneous outdoor play habits of children (parental report of outdoor play) were evaluated at baseline. Before and after the intervention, motor developmental level (Movement Assessment Battery for Children) was evaluated in all children, who were then assessed either with a test of working memory (Random Number Generation task), or with a test of attention (from the Cognitive Assessment System). Children assigned to the 'enriched' intervention showed more pronounced improvements in all motor coordination assessments (manual dexterity, ball skills, static/dynamic balance). The beneficial effect on ball skills was amplified by the level of spontaneous outdoor play and weight status. Among indices of executive function and attention, only that of inhibition showed a differential effect of intervention type. Moderated mediation showed that the better outcome of the enriched PE on ball skills mediated the better inhibition outcome, but only when the enrichment intervention was paralleled by a medium-to-high level of outdoor play. Results suggest that specifically tailored physical activity (PA) games provide a unique form of enrichment that impacts children's cognitive development through motor coordination improvement, particularly object control skills, which are linked to children's PA habits later in life. Outdoor play appears to offer the natural ground for the stimulation by designed PA games to take root in children's mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Pesce
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Italian University Sport and Movement “Foro Italico”Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Masci
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Italian University Sport and Movement “Foro Italico”Rome, Italy
| | - Rosalba Marchetti
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Italian University Sport and Movement “Foro Italico”Rome, Italy
| | | | - Arja Sääkslahti
- Department of Sport Sciences, University of JyväskyläJyväskylä, Finland
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16
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Ferrao T, Janssen I. Parental encouragement is positively associated with outdoor active play outside of school hours among 7-12 year olds. PeerJ 2015; 3:e1463. [PMID: 26644990 PMCID: PMC4671172 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Physical activity is important for children's physical, mental, and social well-being. Outdoor active play is an important yet unstudied domain of children's physical activity. The objective of this study was to determine if parental encouragement is associated with the frequency that children engage in outdoor active play outside of school hours. Methods. Participants consisted of 514 children aged 7-12 years and one of their parents. Parents completed a survey that included four questions that assessed how frequently they used verbal cues to encourage their child to play outdoors. Points were assigned to each response and averaged across the 4 questions, and based on this average participants were assigned to quintiles. The survey included seven questions that asked parents to assess how frequently their child played outdoors outside of school hours. Points were assigned to each response and summed to create an active outdoor play frequency score. General linear models assessed associations between parental encouragement and outdoor play while controlling for individual, family, and neighborhood covariates. Results. The mean outdoor active play frequency score increased significantly across quintiles of the parental encouragement score as follows: 6.0 (standard error = 0.7) in quintile 1, 9.8 (0.6) in quintile 2, 11.4 (0.6) in quintile 3, 16.2 (0.9) in quintile 4, and 23.3 (1.3) in quintile 5. After adjusting for covariates, the mean outdoor active play frequency score was almost three times higher in the highest parental encouragement quintile than in the lowest quintile (20.4 vs. 7.8). Conclusions. Parents use of verbal cues to encourage their children to play outdoors was independently associated with outdoor active play among 7-12 year olds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Ferrao
- School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University , Kingston, ON , Canada
| | - Ian Janssen
- School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University , Kingston, ON , Canada ; Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University , Kingston, ON , Canada
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17
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Hyper-parenting is negatively associated with physical activity among 7-12year olds. Prev Med 2015; 73:55-9. [PMID: 25634332 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore associations between helicopter, little emperor, tiger mom, and concerted cultivation hyper-parenting styles with child physical activity. METHODS 724 North American parents of 7-12 year olds completed a survey (May, 2014) that assessed their engagement in the hyper-parenting styles and the frequency that their child played outdoors, walked/bicycled, and played organized sports. Z-scores were generated for each hyper-parenting style and four groups were created: low (<-1 SD), below average (-1 to -0.49 SD), average (-0.50 to 0.50 SD), above average (0.51 to 0.1.0 SD), and high (>1 SD). RESULTS Outdoor play, active transportation, and organized sport did not differ across helicopter parenting groups. Children in the low little emperor group had higher (P<0.005) outdoor play and active transportation scores than children in the average, above average, and high groups (exception: high group for outdoor play). Children in the low tiger mom and concerted cultivation groups had higher (P<0.005) outdoor play, active transportation, and organized sport scores than children in the average, above average, and high groups (exceptions: average and high tiger mom groups for organized sport). CONCLUSIONS Little emperor, tiger mom, and concerted cultivation parenting styles were associated with lower physical activity among 7-12 year olds.
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Breslin G, Brennan D, Rafferty R, Gallagher AM, Hanna D. The effect of a healthy lifestyle programme on 8-9 year olds from social disadvantage. Arch Dis Child 2012; 97:618-24. [PMID: 22685046 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2011-301108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study assessed the efficacy of a school-based healthy lifestyle intervention (Sport for LIFE) for increasing physical activity, decreasing sedentary behaviour, reducing screen time behaviour, encouraging healthy attitudes and behaviour to nutrition, and reducing body mass index (BMI) in 8-9-year-old primary school children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds in Northern Ireland. METHODS A non-randomised controlled trial of 416 children from 24 schools took part. Schools were randomly assigned to one of two groups, an intervention or control group with 12 schools in each group. The intervention group received a 12-week school-based programme based on social cognitive theory. At baseline and follow-up, groups completed questionnaires assessing physical activity, screen time behaviour and dietary patterns. On each occasion anthropometric assessments of height and weight were taken. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour were measured by accelerometry. RESULTS Significant effects were observed for vigorous, moderate and light activity for the intervention group at follow-up. Sedentary behaviour was significantly reduced for the intervention group but not for the control group. No significant effects of the intervention on BMI, screen time behaviour or attitudes to nutrition, with the exception of non-core foods, were shown. CONCLUSIONS The programme was effective in increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour, however no significant changes in screen time behaviour and attitude to nutrition, with the exception of non-core foods, were observed. Future research ideas are offered for tackling low levels of physical activity in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Breslin
- Sport and Exercise Science Research Institute, University of Ulster, Newtownabbey BT370QB, UK.
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19
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Hinkley T, Salmon J, Okely AD, Crawford D, Hesketh K. The HAPPY study: development and reliability of a parent survey to assess correlates of preschool children's physical activity. J Sci Med Sport 2012; 15:407-17. [PMID: 22480665 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2011.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2011] [Revised: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 12/16/2011] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Correlates of preschool children's physical activity across all domains of the social ecological model have previously been reported in the literature. However, there is a scarcity of reliable instruments designed to capture such correlates in preschool-aged children. OBJECTIVES This study reports the development, and assessment of the test-retest and internal reliability of a comprehensive proxy survey instrument designed to measure correlates of preschool children's physical activity across the three domains of the social ecological model. DESIGN Study one included data from 47 parents of preschool aged (3-5 years) children who completed the survey on two occasions. Study two included data from 943 participants who completed the survey as part of the larger Healthy Active Preschool Years Study. METHODS A comprehensive search of the literature and a series of focus groups were used to identify potential correlates for inclusion in the survey. Study one investigated the test-retest reliability of the survey; study two investigated internal reliability. Test-retest reliability was assessed using Kappa statistics and percent agreement for categorical variables, and intraclass correlation for continuous variables. Internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS In total, 230 items, summed and composite scores were assessed. Of those items, 190 (83%) showed acceptable reliability. The majority of items in each domain of the social ecological model--individual (75%), social (81%) and physical environment (90%)--showed acceptable reliability. CONCLUSIONS The Healthy Active Preschool Years parent proxy survey shows good reliability and is appropriate for use with the target population. Future studies should investigate validity of the constructs in the survey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trina Hinkley
- Interdisciplinary Educational Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Australia.
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20
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Brockman R, Jago R, Fox KR. Children's active play: self-reported motivators, barriers and facilitators. BMC Public Health 2011; 11:461. [PMID: 21663605 PMCID: PMC3124432 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2011] [Accepted: 06/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physical activity has important benefits for children's physical health and mental wellbeing, but many children do not meet recommended levels. Research suggests that active play has the potential to make a valuable contribution to children's overall physical activity, whilst providing additional cognitive, social and emotional benefits. However, relatively little is known about the determinants of UK children's active play. Understanding these factors provides the critical first step in developing interventions to increase children's active play, and therefore overall physical activity. METHODS Eleven focus groups were conducted with 77, 10-11 year old children from four primary schools in Bristol, UK. Focus groups examined: (i) factors which motivate children to take part in active play; (ii) factors which limit children's active play and (iii) factors which facilitate children's active play. All focus groups were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using a thematic approach. RESULTS Children were motivated to engage in active play because they perceived it to be enjoyable, to prevent boredom, to have physical and mental health benefits and to provide freedom from adult control, rules and structure. However, children's active play was constrained by a number of factors, including rainy weather and fear of groups of teenagers in their play spaces. Some features of the physical environment facilitated children's active play, including the presence of green spaces and cul-de-sacs in the neighbourhood. Additionally, children's use of mobile phones when playing away from home was reported to help to alleviate parents' safety fears, and therefore assist children's active play. CONCLUSIONS Children express a range of motivational and environmental factors that constrain and facilitate their active play. Consideration of these factors should improve effectiveness of interventions designed to increase active play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan Brockman
- Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Russell Jago
- Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kenneth R Fox
- Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Xethali V, Christoforidis C, Kambas A, Aggelousis N, Fatouros I. Test-retest reliability of the National Program for Playground Safety Report Card. Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot 2010; 16:249-51. [PMID: 20183704 DOI: 10.1080/17457300903309199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Xethali
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Thrace, Komotini, Greece
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22
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Veitch J, Salmon J, Ball K. Individual, social and physical environmental correlates of children's active free-play: a cross-sectional study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2010; 7:11. [PMID: 20181061 PMCID: PMC2841089 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5868-7-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2009] [Accepted: 02/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children's unstructured outdoor free-play (or active free-play) has the potential to make an important contribution to children's overall physical activity levels. Limited research has, however, examined physical activity in this domain. This study examined associations between individual, social and physical environmental factors and the frequency with which children play in particular outdoor locations outside school hours. This study also investigated whether the frequency of playing in outdoor locations was associated with children's overall physical activity levels. METHODS Participants including 8-9 year old children and their parents (n = 187) were recruited from a selection of primary schools of varying socioeconomic status across metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Parents completed a survey and children's overall physical activity levels were measured by accelerometry. Regression models examined the odds of children playing in various outdoor settings according to particular correlates. RESULTS Inverse associations were found between preference for activities not involving physical activity, and the likelihood of children playing in the yard at home on the weekend (OR = 0.65; CI = 0.45,0.95). Positive correlates of children playing in their own street included: parental perceptions that it was safe for their child to play in their street (weekdays [OR = 6.46; CI = 2.84,14.71], weekend days [OR = 6.01; CI = 2.68,13.47]); children having many friends in their neighbourhood (OR = 2.63; CI = 1.21,5.76); and living in a cul-de-sac (weekdays [OR = 3.99; CI = 1.65,9.66], weekend days [OR = 3.49; CI = 1.49,8.16]). Positive correlates of more frequent play in the park/playground on weekdays included family going to the park together on a weekly basis on weekdays (OR = 6.8; CI = 3.4,13.6); and on weekend days (OR = 7.36; CI = 3.6,15.0). No differences in mean mins/day of moderate-vigorous physical activity were found between children in the highest and lowest tertiles for frequency of playing in particular outdoor locations. CONCLUSION The presence of friends, safety issues and aspects of the built environment were reported by parents to be associated with children's active free-play in outdoor locations. Future research needs to further examine associations with time spent in active free-play and objectively-measured overall physical activity levels. It is also important to investigate strategies for developing a supportive social and physical environment that provides opportunities for children to engage in active free-play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Veitch
- Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
| | - Jo Salmon
- Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
| | - Kylie Ball
- Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
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