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The impact of a teacher-led structured physical activity session on preschoolers' sedentary and physical activity levels

Resource Type: Reports & Papers
Author(s): Van Cauwenberghe, Eveline; De Craemer, Marieke; De Decker, Ellen; De Bourdeaudhuij, Ilse; Cardon, Greet;
Date Issued: September, 2013
Description: The purpose of this observational study was to examine differences in preschoolers' sedentary time and physical activity (PA) participation between preschool-attending weekdays with and without a teacher-led structured PA session. Design: A sample of 200 preschoolers (5.3 +/- 0.4 y; 113 boys) from 26 preschools in Flanders, Belgium were included in data analysis. Methods: Participants wore a GT1M ActiGraph accelerometer on one preschool-attending weekday with and on one preschool-attending weekday without the provision of a teacher-led structured PA session. Preschoolers' sedentary time, light PA, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during the time in preschool (08:00-16:00h) and after preschool (16:00-20:00h) were estimated. To assess differences in the outcome measures between both days, multi-level linear regression models were conducted. Results: During the time at preschool, lower sedentary levels ([beta] = 13.0min; SE=1.6; p < 0.001) and higher light PA ([beta] = 2.9min; SE=0.7 p < 0.001) and MV PA levels ([beta] = 10.1min; SE=1.1; p < 0.001) were prevalent on days with a structured PA session compared to days without a structured PA session in both boys and girls. After preschool, no differences were found between both days in sedentary time ([beta] = 0.7; SE=1.4; p > 0.05), light PA ([beta] = 0.3; SE=0.5; p > 0.05), and MVPA ([beta] = 0.3; SE=0.9; p > 0.05). Conclusions: The results demonstrate that no compensatory changes were found after preschool for the structured PA session during the preschool hours. Therefore, a teacher-led structured PA session integrated in the preschool curriculum is a promising mean to decrease sedentary time and to increase PA in preschool-aged boys and girls. (author abstract)
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Funder(s): Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek--Vlaanderen (Research Foundation--Flanders)
Journal Title: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Volume Number: 16
Issue Number: 5
Page Range: 422-426
Topics: International Child Care & Early Education > Single-Country Studies

Programs, Interventions & Curricula > Interventions/Curricula > Physical & Mental Health, Safety & Nutrition
Country: Belgium
ISSN: 1878-1861 Online
1440-2440 Paper
Peer Reviewed: yes
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