Article
Physical activity and sedentary time during childcare outdoor play sessions: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Preventive Medicine
(2018)
Abstract
Outdoor playtime has been highly correlated with moderate-to vigorous–intensity physical activity (MVPA), while also being associated with decreased sedentary time. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to examine the physical activity levels and sedentary time of young children (2–5 years) during outdoor play periods at centre-based childcare. Eight online databases were searched for peer-reviewed, English-language, original research. Two reviewers independently extracted data (study design, participants, method of measurement, and physical activity and/or sedentary time of participants). Time spent in outdoor activity intensities were converted to percentage of time, and averaged across the two measurement types: accelerometry and observational. Of the 26 included articles, 11 used accelerometry, 13 employed direct observation, and 2 adopted a combination of both measurement methods. Average percentage of time engaged in MVPA and sedentary pursuits ranged from 6.7% to 43% and 23.2% to 63.5% by accelerometry, and 2% to 53.9% and 46.1% to 80.2% by observation, respectively. Total physical activity (only measured by accelerometry) ranged from 23.2% to 63.5% of outdoor playtime. Meta-analysis of 11 accelerometer studies found that children spent a mean (95% CI) of: 13.99% (10.35–17.63) of outdoor playtime in MVPA, 43.77% (32.95–54.58) in TPA, and 52.81% (44.1–61.51) in sedentary time. Overall, young children have the potential to be highly active during outdoor play sessions at centre-based childcare; however, many children still engage in substantial amounts of sedentary time. Future research should explore the frequency and/or duration of outdoor time which best support young children's physical activity and limits sedentary time in childcare.
Keywords
- Physical activity,
- Sedentary time,
- Childcare,
- Young children,
- Outdoor play,
- Systematic review,
- Meta-analysis
Disciplines
Publication Date
Spring March, 2018
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.12.022
Citation Information
Stephanie Truelove, Brianne A. Bruijns, Leigh M. Vanderloo, Kathleen T. O'Brien, et al.. "Physical activity and sedentary time during childcare outdoor play sessions: A systematic review and meta-analysis" Preventive Medicine Vol. 108 (2018) p. 74 - 85 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/trish_tucker/67/