Are preschoolers most active during the first ten minutes of outdoor play at childcare?

Oral Presentation C9.4

Authors

  • Brianne A. Bruijns Western University
  • Leigh M. Vanderloo Western University
  • Brian W. Timmons McMaster University
  • Patricia Tucker Western University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.696

Keywords:

Childcare, Preschoolers, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour

Abstract

Background: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) provides preschoolers (2.5-5y) with many health benefits, and at childcare time spent this behaviour is primarily accrued outdoors. Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional analysis of the Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment (SPACE) study was to examine the influence of varying outdoor play schedules (2 x 60-minute versus 4 x 30-minute sessions) on preschoolers’ activity levels outdoors. Methods: Preschoolers wore an Actical accelerometer for 5 days during childcare for the final week of the SPACE intervention; outdoor times were logged by staff. Separate linear mixed effects models were performed to assess the effect of the SPACE intervention on preschoolers’ outdoor physical activity (total, MVPA) and sedentary time, with sex entered as an interaction effect. Results: Preschoolers (n = 292) were significantly more active within the first 10 minutes of outdoor play compared with remaining time (p < .0083). Across total outdoor time, preschoolers in the experimental group were significantly less sedentary than those in the control group (p < .017), and boys and girls in the experimental group engaged in greater MVPA than their counterparts in the control group (p < .017). Conclusions: Findings provide support for scheduling shorter, more frequent outdoor play periods to increase physical activity and decrease sedentary time among preschoolers. Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research. 

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Bruijns, B., Vanderloo, L., Timmons, B., & Tucker, P. (2021). Are preschoolers most active during the first ten minutes of outdoor play at childcare? Oral Presentation C9.4. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.696

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