Citation

Wahl-Alexander Z, Morehead CA. Am. J. Health Promot. 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, SAGE Publications)

DOI

10.1177/0890117119897191

PMID

31902217

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate children's physical activity (PA) levels, social play behavior, activity time, and social interactions during unstructured time. APPROACH: Systematic observation tool to record child's PA level, social group size, activity type, and social interaction during play. SETTING: Northeast US residential summer camp, pseudonym Forest Hills Camp. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-nine third-grade campers (27 males and 32 females).

METHOD: Observational data were obtained using the System for Observing Children's Activity and Relationships during Play (SOCARP). Data were analyzed using independent samples t tests (with Bonferroni adjustment) to assess statistical differences between boys and girls SOCARP categories.

RESULTS: Both boys and girls spend over 50% of their time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Statistically significant differences between genders were observed: activity level-(a) girls sat more than boys, and (2) boys engaged in more vigorous activity; activity type-(1) boys engaged in more sport activity, girls engaged in more locomotion activity, and girls were more sedentary; and social interactions-(1) boys had more physical conflict, and (2) boys had more verbal conflict.

CONCLUSION: Contrary to previous research suggesting that summer campers have increased sedentary behavior during unstructured time, our results indicate that third-grade campers engaged in MVPA over 50% of their unstructured time. This suggests that unstructured time in outdoor camp settings may provide valuable opportunities for adolescent children to choose PA.

Language: en

Keywords

SOCARP; children; physical activity; social behaviors; summer camps