Predictors of Elementary School Childrens' participation in physical activity during recess

The majority of children are not participating in recommended amounts of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) to achieve health benefits. Schools provide many opportunities to promote participation in MVPA, which may include recess. While previous research has been used to identify individual and environmental level factors associated with MVPA at recess, school income status has not been a factor examined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether school income status, loose equipment, and designated play area predicted elementary school-aged children's MVPA at recess, while controlling for gender. Participants were 10,641 girls and boys in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade from 15 Oklahoma public elementary schools. The System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth (SOPLAY) was used to assess MVPA and school playground characteristics. A hierarchical logistic regression revealed that gender (χ2 = 205.83, df = 1, N = 10,641, p = .0001) as well as the overall model (χ2 = 265.19, df = 4, N = 10,641, p = .0001) that included the addition of school income status, loose equipment, and designated play area significantly predicted MVPA. Gender (p = .0001), loose equipment (p = .028) and designated play area (p = .0001) independently significantly contributed to the overall prediction of MVPA. School income did not predict physical activity. Future evidenced based research should continue to identify factors that can inform policy and environmental change to increase participation in MVPA among elementary school-aged children during recess.