Where are tweens active in school playgrounds? A hot-spot analysis using GPS, accelerometer, and GIS data

Mini-Oral Presentation B1.4

Authors

  • Thea Toft Amholt University of Southern Denmark
  • Jasper Schipperijn University of Southern Denmark

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.593

Keywords:

Tweens, Physical Activity, School Playgrounds, Accelerometry, Hot Spot Analysis

Abstract

Background: Children’s physical activity (PA) decreases with age and declines rapidly during tween years (9 and 12 years). Despite the known potential of school playgrounds for facilitating physical activity (PA), little is known about school playground use of tweens. Purpose: To map PA hot and cold spots of tweens on school playgrounds. Methods: The sample included four school playgrounds, 376 tweens, and 1056 valid days of playground use. Children were monitored using GPS and accelerometry during five school days. The children wore the devices in an elastic belt around the waist and were instructed to go about their day as usual. Results: Several types of school playground areas and play equipment were used by tweens. Soccer fields and remote areas were hot spots for both boys and girls and hot spots on climbing equipment were found for girls. Combinations of a hot spot for one gender and a cold spot for the other gender were found on all four playgrounds indicating areas where one gender was active and the other was onlooker. Conclusions: We concluded that school playgrounds are used by tweens and thereby have potential for enhancing PA for this age group. Popular playground areas included soccer fields and remote areas as well as equipment for girls. These findings contribute with important knowledge on what to build to attract tweens to more PA on school playgrounds. Funding: This work was supported by the Innovation Fund, Denmark [0153-00012B].

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Amholt, T., & Schipperijn, J. (2021). Where are tweens active in school playgrounds? A hot-spot analysis using GPS, accelerometer, and GIS data: Mini-Oral Presentation B1.4. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.593