Cluster characteristics of physical activities among children inside and outside kindergartens and its relationship with athletic abilities
10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2023.10.027
- VernacularTitle:幼儿在园内外身体活动的聚类特征与运动能力研究
- Author:
FU Jinmei, HUANG Ting, SUN Shunli, CHEN Ruiming, CHEN Delong, JIANG Tianle, HU Xuewen, LYU Wendi, HE Zihao, SU Liqiang, ZHAO Guanggao, ZOU Weilu
1
Author Information
1. Sports Science Research Office, Jiangxi Sports Science Medical Center, Nanchang (330006) , China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Motor activity;
Sedentary lifestyle;
Cluster analysis;
Child, preschool
- From:
Chinese Journal of School Health
2023;44(10):1560-1563
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:Based on physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) variables on weekdays and weekends, the study aims to cluster the physical activities inside and outside kindergartens and to explore the cluster characteristics of different children using physical fitness indicators, so as to provide new strategies and methods for early childhood education and health.
Methods:From March to June 2019, 291 children aged 3-6 years from 6 kindergartens in Nanchang were recruited by a stratified cluster random sampling method. The ActiGraph GT3X-BT triaxial accelerometer was used to measure and analyze the PA and SB levels inside and outside the kindergarten. A twostep clustering algorithm model was employed for cluster analysis. Physical fitness were measured and evaluated according to the "National Physical Fitness Measurement Standard Manual (Preschool Section)". Differences in physical fitness among different clusters of children were compared, and the cluster characteristics of different children were analyzed.
Results:The clustering algorithm model indicated that based on six indicators, including PA and SB inside the kindergarten on weekdays, and PA and SB outside the kindergarten on both weekdays and weekends, children could be divided into three categories:active inside (high PA, low SB inside), active outside (high PA outside), and inactive (low PA, high SB both inside and outside). The average silhouette coefficient of the model was 0.3, indicating good clustering results. Both the active inside and active outside children showed significantly higher PA inside on weekdays, PA outside on weekdays and weekends, daily low intensity physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than the inactive children ( F=157.91, 80.79 , 95.86, 95.52, 124.74, P <0.05). After adjusting for gender and age, the physical fitness scores of both active outside ( 19.03 ±0.47) and active inside (19.11±0.40) were significantly higher than those of the inactive children (17.94±0.31). Additionally, active inside children (3.91±0.14) also showed significantly better performance in continuous double-leg jumps, compared to inactive children (3.45±0.11) ( P <0.05).
Conclusion:Children active inside and those active outside perform well in PA. Future research should focus on the proportion of structured and unstructured PA time to enhance the overall physical fitness of children.
