Physical activity during school recess: a systematic review

Context:

Interest has increased in examining the physical activity levels of young people during

school recess. Identifying correlates of their recess physical activity behaviors is timely, and would

inform school-based physical activity programming and intervention development. The review

examined the correlates of children’s and adolescent’s physical activity during school recess periods.

Evidence acquisition:

Asystematicsearchofsixelectronicdatabases,referencelists,andpersonal

archives identifıed 53 studies (47 focused on children) published between January 1990 and April

2011 that met the inclusion criteria. Data were analyzed in 2011. Correlates were categorized using

the social–ecological framework.

Evidence synthesis:

Forty-four variables were identifıed across the four levels of the social–

ecological framework, although few correlates were studied repeatedly at each level. Positive associ-

ations were found of overall facility provision, unfıxed equipment, and perceived encouragement

with recess physical activity. Results revealed that boys were more active than girls.

Conclusions:

Providing access to school facilities, providing unfıxed equipment, and identifying

ways to promote encouragement for physical activity have the potential to inform strategies to

increase physical activity levels during recess periods.