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The Impact of Shorter, More Frequent Outdoor Play Periods on Preschoolers’ Physical Activity during Childcare: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Molly Driediger

    (School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, 1201 Western Road, Elborn College, London, ON N6G 1H1, Canada)

  • Stephanie Truelove

    (Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON N6H 4B1, Canada)

  • Andrew M. Johnson

    (School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON N6H 4B1, Canada)

  • Leigh M. Vanderloo

    (Child Health & Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada)

  • Brian W. Timmons

    (Child Health & Exercise Medicine Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada)

  • Shauna M. Burke

    (School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON N6H 4B1, Canada)

  • Jennifer D. Irwin

    (School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON N6H 4B1, Canada)

  • Patricia Tucker

    (School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, 1201 Western Road, Elborn College, London, ON N6G 1H1, Canada)

Abstract

Children’s physical activity levels are higher at the start of outdoor playtime, which suggests that shorter, more frequent play periods might result in greater amounts of daily physical activity. In this extension of the Supporting Physical Activity in the Childcare Environment (SPACE) cluster randomized controlled trial, we explored the impact of four 30-min daily outdoor unstructured play periods on preschoolers’ moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). Experimental childcare centres (n = 6) implemented four 30-min daily outdoor playtimes for 8 weeks, while control centres (n = 6) maintained their two 60-min outdoor sessions. Actical™ accelerometers were used to measure preschoolers’ physical activity pre- and post-intervention for 5 days during childcare hours. Linear mixed effects models were used to determine the impact of the intervention on preschoolers’ MVPA. Of the 185 preschoolers enrolled (54.20% female; mean age = 39.90 months, SD = 7.24), 127 (65 experimental and 62 control) were included in the analysis (30% and 9% loss to follow-up for experimental and control group preschoolers, respectively). No significant differences in MVPA were observed between groups over time ( p = 0.36). Preschoolers’ MVPA did not improve after the introduction of shorter outdoor play periods. The loss of data due to wear time noncompliance and participant attrition may have influenced these findings. Trial registration: ISRCTN70604107 (October 8, 2014).

Suggested Citation

  • Molly Driediger & Stephanie Truelove & Andrew M. Johnson & Leigh M. Vanderloo & Brian W. Timmons & Shauna M. Burke & Jennifer D. Irwin & Patricia Tucker, 2019. "The Impact of Shorter, More Frequent Outdoor Play Periods on Preschoolers’ Physical Activity during Childcare: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:21:p:4126-:d:280522
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leigh M. Vanderloo & Patricia Tucker & Andrew M. Johnson & Melissa M. Van Zandvoort & Shauna M. Burke & Jennifer D. Irwin, 2014. "The Influence of Centre-Based Childcare on Preschoolers’ Physical Activity Levels: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-9, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Monika Szpunar & Molly Driediger & Andrew M. Johnson & Leigh M. Vanderloo & Shauna M. Burke & Jennifer D. Irwin & Jacob Shelley & Brian W. Timmons & Patricia Tucker, 2021. "Impact of the Childcare Physical Activity (PLAY) Policy on Young Children’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Time: A Pilot Clustered Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Regina Lai Tong Lee & Shelly Jerrine Lane & Anson Chui Yan Tang & Cynthia Leung & Stephen Wai Hang Kwok & Lobo Hung Tak Louie & Graeme Browne & Sally Wai Chi Chan, 2020. "Effects of an Unstructured Free Play and Mindfulness Intervention on Wellbeing in Kindergarten Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-15, July.

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