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Untapped Resources: 10- to 13-Year-Old Primary Schoolchildren’s Views on Additional Physical Activity in the School Setting: A Focus Group Study

Author

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  • Vera Van den Berg

    (Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Vera van den Berg and Eline E. Vos share first authorship as they contributed equally to this work.)

  • Eline E. Vos

    (Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Vera van den Berg and Eline E. Vos share first authorship as they contributed equally to this work.)

  • Renate H. M. De Groot

    (Welten Institute-Research Centre for Learning, Teaching and Technology, Open University of the Netherlands, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands
    Department of Complex Genetics, School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism/Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Amika S. Singh

    (Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Mai J. M. Chinapaw

    (Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Schools are considered ideal venues to promote physical activity (PA) in children. However, a knowledge gap exists on how to adequately integrate PA into the school day and in particular, on the preferences of children regarding additional PA in school. Therefore, the aim of our qualitative study was to gain comprehensive insight into 10–13-year-old primary schoolchildren’s perspectives on how to increase PA in the school setting. We conducted nine focus groups (32 girls and 20 boys) with children attending the final two grades of primary school in the Netherlands. We used inductive thematic analysis to analyze the data. The results showed that children were enthusiastic about additional PA in school. Children suggested various ways to increase PA, including more time for PA in the existing curriculum, e.g., physical education (PE), recess, and occasional activities, such as field trips or sports days; school playground adaptation; improving the content of PE; and implementing short PA breaks and physically active academic lessons. Children emphasized variation and being given a voice in their PA participation as a prerequisite to keep PA enjoyable and interesting in the long term. Finally, children mentioned the role of the teacher and making efforts to accommodate all children and their different preferences as important. Children have concrete ideas, acknowledging the challenges that accompany integrating additional PA in school. We therefore recommend actively involving children in efforts to increase school-based PA and to make “additional PA in school” a shared project of teachers and students.

Suggested Citation

  • Vera Van den Berg & Eline E. Vos & Renate H. M. De Groot & Amika S. Singh & Mai J. M. Chinapaw, 2018. "Untapped Resources: 10- to 13-Year-Old Primary Schoolchildren’s Views on Additional Physical Activity in the School Setting: A Focus Group Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:12:p:2713-:d:187066
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Webster, Collin A. & Zarrett, Nicole & Cook, Brittany S. & Egan, Cate & Nesbitt, Danielle & Weaver, R. Glenn, 2017. "Movement integration in elementary classrooms: Teacher perceptions and implications for program planning," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 134-143.
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    Cited by:

    1. Vera van den Berg & Amika S. Singh & Annet Komen & Chris Hazelebach & Ivo van Hilvoorde & Mai J. M. Chinapaw, 2019. "Integrating Juggling with Math Lessons: A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing Effects of Physically Active Learning on Maths Performance and Enjoyment in Primary School Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-13, July.

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