Researchers measured the physical activity of 215 children, with an average age of nine, over the course of seven days.
The children were from three primary schools with different sporting facilities and opportunity for physical education in the curriculum:
• School A had extensive sports facilities and offered nine hours a week of physical education.
• School B had limited sporting provision and offered 2.2 hours of physical education a week, and
• School C had limited sports facilities and offered 1.8 hours a week of physical education.
As expected, children in school A recorded the most activity in school time; the timetabled exercise was more than four times that of the others.
But total physical activity of these students from school A was barely twice that of students in schools B and C.
Surprisingly, total physical activity between schools was similar because children in Schools B and C did more activity out of school than children at school A.
The study also found that girls do significantly less physical activity than boys, and may help explain why more girls than boys develop type 2 diabetes in childhood.
The research project grew out of concern about the impact of competing priorities in schools, such as numeracy and literacy, on physical education.
It was anticipated that children from poorer backgrounds would be worst affected. But the study showed the average economic status of families at particular schools did not impact on the level of physical activity of its students. The household incomes of children were highest at school A, followed by B and C respectively.
Australian children are increasingly likely to be overweight or obese and to lead sedentary lifestyles - so insights into influences on physical activity levels of young people are vital.
- Kristin Owen is a Melbourne-based journalist
Reference:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2006. Australia's health 2006. AIHW cat. No. AUS 73. AIHW, Canberra
Mallam KM, Metcalf BS, Kirkby J, Voss LD, Wilkin TJ (2003) Contribution of timetabled physical education to total physical activity in primary school children: cross sectional study. British Medical Journal 327: 592-593.
Related reading:
Getting Physical Good For School Stress
Reform Schools For Fitter Kids
School Sport a Lifetime Habit
Schools Crucial for Keeping Kids on the Move
Schools Can Make a Difference
