A natural experiment to assess recess frequency on children's physical activity in Arizona (U.S.) elementary schools.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the United States, the number of state policies mandating recess in schools has rapidly increased over the past decade; however, few policies specify recess frequency. Informed by an ecological model of physical activity (PA) policy, this study examined and compared total amounts and intensity of PA expended during recess among children attending schools in compliance with Arizona recess policy ARS§ 15-118 mandating 2 + daily recess periods versus not.

Methods

PA during recess was measured among grade three children (ages 8-10) in four randomly selected elementary schools (two complying averaging 30 daily recess minutes; two non-complying averaging 15 daily recess minutes) in Maricopa County, Arizona. Group-level PA was assessed by direct observation using the

SUBMITTER: Poulos A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10797942 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature