Research Database

350 results for "Activity and Environment"

A randomised controlled trial of multiple periods of outdoor free-play to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among 3 to 6 year old children attending childcare: study protocol

  • Published on Sep 2, 2016

Background: The implementation of physical activity interventions in centre-based childcare services has been recommended to improve child health. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of scheduling multiple periods of outdoor free play in increasing the time children spend in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during childcare. Methods: The study will ...


Effects of physical activity on schoolchildren's academic performance: The Active Smarter Kids (ASK) cluster-randomized controlled trial

  • Published on Sep 7, 2016

Objective: To investigate the effect of a seven-month, school-based cluster-randomized controlled trial on academic performance in 10-year-old children. Methods: In total, 1129 fifth-grade children from 57 elementary schools in Sogn og Fjordane County, Norway, were cluster-randomized by school either to the intervention group or to the control group. The children in the 28 ...


Longitudinal Growth, Diet, and Physical Activity in Young Children With Cerebral Palsy

  • Published on Sep 7, 2016

Objectives: To describe the longitudinal relationship between height-for-age z score (HZ), growth velocity z score, energy intake, habitual physical activity (HPA), and sedentary time across Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to V in preschoolers with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Children with CP (n = 175 [109 (62.2%) boys]; mean recruitment age 2 ...


Physical Activity, Mind Wandering, Affect, and Sleep: An Ecological Momentary Assessment

  • Published on Jul 2016

Background: A considerable portion of daily thought is spent in mind wandering. This behavior has been related to positive (eg, future planning, problem solving) and negative (eg, unhappiness, impaired cognitive performance) outcomes. Objective: Based on previous research suggesting future-oriented (ie, prospective) mind wandering may support autobiographical planning and self-regulation, this ...



Neighborhoods for Active Kids: study protocol for a cross-sectional examination of neighborhood features and children's physical activity, active travel, independent mobility and body size

  • Published on Aug 1, 2016

Introduction: New Zealand children's physical activity, including independent mobility and active travel, has declined markedly over recent decades. The Neighbourhoods for Active Kids (NfAK) study examines how neighbourhood built environments are associated with the independent mobility, active travel, physical activity and neighbourhood experiences of children aged 9–12 years in primary and ...



Disparities in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among girls and overweight and obese schoolchildren during school- and out-of-school time

  • Published on Mar 22, 2016

Background: Increasing physical activity (PA) during the school day and out-of-school time are critical strategies for preventing childhood obesity and improving overall health. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine schoolchildren’s volume and type of PA during school-time and out-of-school, compared to national recommendations and differences by ...


School grounds and physical activity: Associations at secondary schools, and over the transition from primary to secondary schools

  • Published on May 2016

This paper aims to further understanding of the physical environments of secondary schools and their associations with young peoples' physical activity. Accelerometer-derived physical activity measurements from 299 participants in the SPEEDY study (Norfolk, UK) were obtained from baseline measurements (age 9–10 y) and +4y follow-up. These were linked to objective measures of ...


Cardiorespiratory fitness in urban adolescent girls: associations with race and pubertal status

  • Published on Mar 4, 2016

Cardiorespiratory fitness affords health benefits to youth. Among females, weight-relative fitness declines during puberty and is lower among African American (AA) than Caucasian girls. Data indicate racial differences in pubertal timing and tempo, yet the interactive influence of puberty and race on fitness, and the role of physical activity (PA) ...