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Contribution of Physical Education to the Daily Physical Activity of Schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia

Author

Listed:
  • Osama Aljuhani

    (Department of Physical Education, College of Sports Science and Physical Activity, King Saud University, Riyadh 4545, Saudi Arabia
    College of Education and Arts, Northern Border University, Arar 1321, Saudi Arabia)

  • Gavin Sandercock

    (School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, ESA.3.13 Colchester, UK)

Abstract

The positive contribution of physical education (PE) to daily physical activity (PA) has been documented in past studies. However, little is known about the contribution of PE to inactive and unfit schoolchildren’s PA. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine the contribution of PE to the daily PA of schoolchildren, especially for inactive and unfit schoolchildren. Accelerometers were used to measure the PA of 111 boys (M age = 13.6 ± 0.8 years) across 7 days. Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was measured during PE classes and on school days with and without PE classes. To measure the time that schoolchildren spent on MVPA, the accelerometer count (i.e., ≥2296 counts/minute) was used. Schoolchildren spent 22% of PE class time in MVPA. Times spent in MVPA were 12.9, 14.7 and 14.8 minutes higher on PE days than on days without PE for all, inactive, and unfit schoolchildren, respectively. Results showed that 40% percent and 24% of the schoolchildren met the recommended levels of PA on PE days and days without PE, respectively. It is concluded that, since PE classes increase daily engagement in MVPA, especially among inactive and unfit schoolchildren, PE classes should be conducted on all school days.

Suggested Citation

  • Osama Aljuhani & Gavin Sandercock, 2019. "Contribution of Physical Education to the Daily Physical Activity of Schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-12, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:13:p:2397-:d:246109
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    Cited by:

    1. Osama Aljuhani & Rola Alsuwailem & Abdulelah Al-Salawi & Gavin Sandercock, 2022. "Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors in Primary School Children in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Association with Parents’ Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Esraa Burahmah & Sivaramkumar Shanmugam & Ben Stansfield, 2023. "Full-Day Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Levels of Typically Developing Children and Adolescents in the Middle East: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-29, October.

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