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Cited by 66Physical Activity and HealthObesity, Physical Activity, DietUrban Green Space and Health

Permanent Play Facilities in School Playgrounds as a Determinant of Children’s Activity

Nielsen, Glen, Taylor, Rachael, Williams, Sheila, Mann, Jim·2010·Journal of Physical Activity and Health
DOI 10.1123/jpah.7.4.490
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Abstract

Background: To investigate whether the number of permanent playground facilities in schools influences objectively measured physical activity. Methods: Physical activity was measured using Actical accelerometers over 2 to 5 days in 417 children (5–12 years) from 7 schools. The number of permanent play facilities likely to encourage physical activity in individuals or groups of children (eg, adventure playgrounds, swings, trees, playground markings, courts, sandpits) were counted on 2 occasions in each school. The surface area of each playground (m 2) was also measured. Results: The number of permanent play facilities in schools ranged from 14 to 35 and was positively associated with all measures of activity. For each additional play facility, average accelerometry counts were 3.8% (P < .001) higher at school and 2.7% (P < .001) higher overall. Each additional play facility was also associated with 2.3% (P = .001) or 4 minutes more moderate/vigorous activity during school hours and 3.4% (P < .001) more (9 minutes) over the course of the day. School playground area did not affect activity independent of the number of permanent play facilities. Findings were consistent across age and sex groups. Conclusion: Increasing the number of permanent play facilities at schools may offer a cost-effective and sustainable option for increasing physical activity in young children.

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  • In cross-sectional observational studies, the availability and types of school playground equipment were associated with extent and types of physical activity behaviors.

    “In cross-sectional observational studies, the availability and types of school playground equipment were associated with extent and types of physical activity behaviors.”

    From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [250]

  • A second study found that the number of different permanent play facilities at schools was positively associated with physical activity assessed by accelerometers; for each additional play facility (range, 14 to 35), average accelerometer counts were 3.8% higher at school (P<0.001) and 2.7% higher overall (P<0.001), and time spent in vigorous physical activity was 9 minutes (3.4%) higher each day;

    “A second study found that the number of different permanent play facilities at schools (swings, courts, sandpits, monkey bars, slides, etc) was positively associated with physical activity assessed by accelerometers.250 For each additional play facility (range, 14 to 35), average accelerometer counts were 3.8% higher at school (P<0.001) and 2.7% higher overall (P<0.001), and time spent in vigorous”

    From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [250]

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Authors
Nielsen, G., Taylor, R., Williams, S., & Mann, J.
Affiliations
University of Copenhagen (DK)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Physical Activity and Health
Publisher
Human Kinetics
Published
2010-07
Volume
7
Issue
4
Pages
490-496
ISSN
  • 1543-3080 (ISSN-L)
  • 1543-5474
DOI
10.1123/jpah.7.4.490
OpenAlex
W2145326888
Cited by
66
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 5
FWCI
4.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Physical Activity and Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Urban Green Space and Health
Keywords
school playgrounds, children's physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, playground design, accelerometry, young children
MeSH terms
Child, Child, Preschool, Environment Design, Humans, Play and Playthings, Schools, Exercise, Monitoring, Ambulatory

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