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En studie om sambandet mellan utbudet av faciliteter på skolgården, och lågstadieelevers fysiska aktivitet under rast.
SchoolyardRecessPrimary schoolPhysical activitySkolgårdFysisk aktivitetLågstadieRörelseStegräknareRast
Aim and research questionsThe aim of the study was to examine pupils? physical activity on schoolyards in northern Stockholm?s surrounding municipalities, based on the schoolyards? design regarding supply of spaces, material, equipment and gender. The research questions were:1. Was there any association between how well spaces, materials and equipment were represented in the schoolyards and pupils? physical activity during recess? If so, how did the association come to expression?2. Did the results differ from the previous question, regarding gender? If so, how did the difference come to expression?MethodA total of 122 second grade pupils, from six schools, in northern Stockholm?s surrounding municipalities participated. A systematic observation was the basis for the categorisation of the schoolyards. The schoolyards were categorised in adequate facilities and inadequate facilities. Questionnaires were distributed to the pupils? guardians in order to identify the pupils? socioeconomic status and everyday physical activity. Measurement of the pupils? physical activity was done by equipping the pupils with pedometers during a morning recess.ResultsThe results showed that girls on schoolyards with adequate facilities were more physically active than girls on schoolyards with inadequate facilities (p<0.05). No significant results on the matter were found regarding the boys. The boys in the study were more physically active than the girls during the morning recess (p <0.05). The results could not reveal that any factor in the schoolyard was more important than any other. The results also showed that the only pupils who took less than 31 steps / min were based on schoolyards with adequate facilities.ConclusionThe study shows that increased supply of equipment and surfaces may well be an important aspect in order to stimulate a bigger number of girls to be physically active during recess. There are, however, pupils who are physically inactive during recess, despite a variety of surfaces and equipment available on the schoolyard. We believe it to be of utmost importance, to stimulate this group of pupils to be more physically active during recess.