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Influence of body mass index and gender on physical activity in primary school children during PE and non-PE school days

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 July 2017

D.T. Archer
Affiliation:
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Sunderland, Sunderland SR1 3SD, UK.
B. Hogg
Affiliation:
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Sunderland, Sunderland SR1 3SD, UK.
M. Coulson
Affiliation:
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Sunderland, Sunderland SR1 3SD, UK.
I. Soos
Affiliation:
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Sunderland, Sunderland SR1 3SD, UK.
S.D. Anderson
Affiliation:
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Sunderland, Sunderland SR1 3SD, UK.
P. Innerd
Affiliation:
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Sunderland, Sunderland SR1 3SD, UK.
S.D. Leyland
Affiliation:
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Sunderland, Sunderland SR1 3SD, UK.
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Abstract

Type
Abstract
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2017 

The benefits of physical activity (PA) for children are well recognised. Children who display high levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) have a lower risk of becoming overweight/obese( Reference Bornstein, Beets and Byun 1 ) or becoming inactive adults( Reference Biddle, Pearson and Ross 2 ). Existing evidence suggests a potential interaction between gender and BMI in terms of PA, with low MVPA associated with those with greater BMI z-scores in 7–9 year old girls, but not boys( Reference Basterfield, Adamson and Pearce 3 ). In 2014, the new National Curriculum for England was implemented across the UK for Physical Education (PE). The aim of this study was to compare objectively measured PA on PE and non-PE days and determine whether children's BMI and gender influenced the differences found.

PA was measured using tri-axial accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X-BT) worn at the hip in male (n 47) and female (n 39) children aged 6·8 (SD 0·6) years, height 123·2 (SD 5·6) cm and body mass 24·45 (SD 3·95) kg over four days at school (360 min per day). The duration of sedentary and MVPA in regular class time and structured PE classes (46 (SD 12) min duration) was measured using the previously validated Pulsford cut off points( Reference Pulsford, Cortina-Borja and Rich 4 ). BMI z-scores were calculated using WHO guidelines. Data were analysed using Pearson correlations, paired samples and independent samples t-tests, Cohen's d for effect sizes (ES) and are presented as mean (SD).

* Denotes significantly different from PE (P < 0·001), n = 86

Children carried out more MVPA on PE days compared to non-PE days (ES = 0·78) and during PE lessons compared to corresponding non-PE time. Furthermore, children were significantly less sedentary in PE lessons compared to corresponding non-PE time. Consequently, children spent less overall time in the sedentary activity category on PE days compared to non-PE days (ES = 0·68). Childrens' BMI z-scores correlated significantly with their quantity of sedentary and light activity (P < 0·001), but not MVPA (P = 0·60) and were very similar on both PE and non-PE days. Males were more active than their female peers, performing 8 and 6 min more MVPA (ES 0·89, 0·72) and 12 and 8 min less sedentary time on PE and non-PE days (ES −0·62, −0·42), respectively.

In conclusion, PE lessons increased childrens' daily MVPA and reduced their sedentary time. Although gender and BMI were associated with PA levels, the inclusion of PE lessons did not markedly increase their influence on overall energy expenditure. Overall, the study shows that PE lessons have a positive effect on childrens' PA levels, likely resulting in positive effects on adiposity and overall health and wellbeing.

References

1. Bornstein, D, Beets, M, Byun, W et al. (2011) J Sci Med Sport 14, 504511.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2. Biddle, SJH, Pearson, N, Ross, GM et al. (2010) Prev Med 51, 345–51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Basterfield, L, Adamson, AJ, Pearce, MS et al. (2011) J Phys Act Health 8, 543547.Google Scholar
4. Pulsford, RM, Cortina-Borja, M, Rich, C et al. (2011) PLoS One 6, 19.Google Scholar
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