Play Study
A recent analysis of our APPLE study showed that the number of play facilities in school playgrounds was associated with physical activity. For each additional play facility, total activity was 2.7% (P<0.001) higher and moderate/vigorous activity 3.4% (P<0.001) higher. School playground area did not affect activity independent of the number of permanent play facilities and findings were consistent across age and sex groups. We wish to test this observation in a larger sample of schools as preliminary work for the development of a randomised controlled trial aimed at improving school playgrounds. Preliminary work is required to 1) assess the reliability of our index measure (number of facilities) and 2) confirm the relationship between facilities and activity in a larger sample.
The aims of this project are to determine the reliability of measuring the number of permanent play facilities in a school playground, and whether this is related to physical activity in children. The number of permanent play facilities in school playgrounds will be measured in 16 primary schools in the greater Dunedin area. A sample of children from Year 2 and Year 4 classes (6-11 years old) will wear accelerometers from Monday morning to Friday afternoon to monitor physical activity. An audit of sports equipment will also be ascertained for each school.
Funding:
Health Research Council of New Zealand
Publications:
Taylor RW, Farmer VL, Cameron SL, Meredith-Jone K, Williams SM, Mann JI. School playgrounds and physical activity policies as predictors of school and home time activity. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2011, 8:38
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