Physical activity in young children during outdoor and indoor free playing time and in physical education lessons in preschools

Chiaki Tanaka; Takafumi Ando; Chiyoko Usui; Yuki Hikihara; Reiko Sasaki; Takayo Inayama; Shigeho Tanaka

Return

Physical activity in young children during outdoor and indoor free playing time and in physical education lessons in preschools

VernacularTitle:幼児の就学前施設内における外遊び，室内遊びおよび運動指導時の身体活動量
Author: Chiaki TANAKA ¹ ; Takafumi ANDO ² ; Chiyoko USUI ³ ; Yuki HIKIHARA ⁴ ; Reiko SASAKI ⁵ ; Takayo INAYAMA ⁶ ; Shigeho TANAKA ²
Author Information

1. College of Health and Welfare, J. F. Oberlin University
2. Department of Nutrition and Metabolism, National Institute of Health and Nutrition, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition
3. Waseda Institute for Sport Sciences, Waseda University
4. Chiba Institute of Technology, Faculty of Creative Engineering, Center for Liberal Arts
5. Institute of Physical Education, Keio University
6. The University of Nagano
Keywords: outdoor free play; indoor free play; physical education; physical activity; preschool child
From:Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine 2019;68(3):207-213
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: The primary aim of this study was to examine moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels in preschool children during indoor and outdoor free playing time and during preschool physical education (PE) classes. The secondary aim was to determine which types of PE lessons are the best for increasing the percentage of MVPA. Physical activity during free playing time and in lessons was objectively evaluated with a triaxial accelerometer in preschool boys and girls (n = 281). Minutes of physical activity were categorized into physical activity ratios (PAR). MVPA was defined as PAR ≥3.0. Time tables and PE lesson types were recorded using logs kept by class teachers. The percentage of MVPA in outdoor free playing time (38.9±16.3%) was significantly higher than that of indoor free playing time (12.6±10.1%, p<0.001). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the percentage in MVPA in outdoor free playing time and the percentage in PE lessons (n=94: 38.0±19.4%vs. 34.9±15.8%, ns). After adjustment for gender, age, body height and weight and preschool, there were not significantly different the percentage of MVPA among contents of PE lessons. In conclusion, children engaged in almost 30~40% MVPA during outdoor free playing time or PE. The children also engaged MVPA during indoor free playing time.