Abstract
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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.