TY - JOUR
T1 - Inclusive community playgrounds benefit typically developing children
T2 - An objective analysis of physical activity
AU - Stevens, Wilshaw R.
AU - Borchard, Justine M.
AU - Sleeper, Paige
AU - Dempsey, Dana
AU - Jeans, Kelly A.
AU - Jo, Chan Hee
AU - Tulchin-Francis, Kirsten
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was supported by the Scottish Rite for Children Research Program.
Publisher Copyright:
2023 Stevens, Borchard, Sleeper, Dempsey, Jeans, Jo and Tulchin-Francis.
PY - 2023/2/1
Y1 - 2023/2/1
N2 - Purpose: Limited research is available on the physical activity levels of children while playing on an inclusive playground, specifically designed to accommodate children with physical disabilities. The aims of this study were to objectively measure ambulatory activity and heart rate (HR) of children during unstructured play on an inclusive community playground. Methods: Typically developing children at least 4 years of age were recruited to play freely upon entering the playground. Participants wore a StepWatch4 Activity Monitor and a Polar V800 Sport Watch. Ambulatory measures included total steps, percentage of recommended steps, total ambulatory time (TAT), bout intensity levels/duration periods. Time spent in HR zones and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was determined. Results: 95 children (48 males; Avg. age: 7 ± 2 years.) were included in this study. Children played for 31.8 ± 14.7 min., were ambulatory for 25.9 ± 12.0 min., took 1826 ± 824 steps, and accumulated 17 ± 8% of the recommended daily step count. Ambulatory bout intensity was predominantly lower intensity and bout durations varied in length. 99% of the play time was spent at a moderate HR or higher. Significant correlations were found between ambulatory and HR measures (ρ range from 0.23 to 0.99, p < 0.05), and 7–10 yo children spent a significantly higher percentage of TAT at higher intensity ambulation (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Typically developing children can achieve moderate or higher intensity exercise and HR on an inclusive playground. Both typically developing children and those with disabilities, would benefit from a setting where they can interact and participate in parallel play with their peers.
AB - Purpose: Limited research is available on the physical activity levels of children while playing on an inclusive playground, specifically designed to accommodate children with physical disabilities. The aims of this study were to objectively measure ambulatory activity and heart rate (HR) of children during unstructured play on an inclusive community playground. Methods: Typically developing children at least 4 years of age were recruited to play freely upon entering the playground. Participants wore a StepWatch4 Activity Monitor and a Polar V800 Sport Watch. Ambulatory measures included total steps, percentage of recommended steps, total ambulatory time (TAT), bout intensity levels/duration periods. Time spent in HR zones and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was determined. Results: 95 children (48 males; Avg. age: 7 ± 2 years.) were included in this study. Children played for 31.8 ± 14.7 min., were ambulatory for 25.9 ± 12.0 min., took 1826 ± 824 steps, and accumulated 17 ± 8% of the recommended daily step count. Ambulatory bout intensity was predominantly lower intensity and bout durations varied in length. 99% of the play time was spent at a moderate HR or higher. Significant correlations were found between ambulatory and HR measures (ρ range from 0.23 to 0.99, p < 0.05), and 7–10 yo children spent a significantly higher percentage of TAT at higher intensity ambulation (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Typically developing children can achieve moderate or higher intensity exercise and HR on an inclusive playground. Both typically developing children and those with disabilities, would benefit from a setting where they can interact and participate in parallel play with their peers.
KW - community
KW - heart rate
KW - inclusive
KW - intensity/duration
KW - physical activity
KW - playground
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U2 - 10.3389/fspor.2022.1100574
DO - 10.3389/fspor.2022.1100574
M3 - Article
C2 - 36819733
AN - SCOPUS:85148223592
SN - 2624-9367
VL - 4
JO - Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
JF - Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
M1 - 1100574
ER -