Background/Purpose This study examined physical activity patterns of kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade children at recess, and the social and demographic factors that influenced physical activity during recess. This is an extension of a study that examined 3rd and 4th graders.
Method Sixty-one (28 boys, 33 girls) K-2nd grade students at an Midwest elementary school were observed using the System of Observing Children's Activity and Relationships during Play (SOCARP) instrument. Each child was also individually interviewed. The Ecological Systems Theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1979) served as the theoretical framework.
Analysis/Results Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVAs were used to express the percentage of time each child spent in the four SOCARP categories and to determine significant differences between gender and the SOCARP factors. Interviews were transcribed and inductive analysis was continuous and employed procedures recommended by Miles and Huberman (1994). Boys spent significantly (P < .05) more time than girls in the very active category, in medium sized groups, and in antisocial behaviors (verbal conflict). Girls did not spend significantly more time than boys in any of the SOCARP categories. Fourteen children were identified as low active because they did not exceed 50% MVPA during recess. Emerged themes revealed that most children: perceived themselves as staying active during recess, may not have set recess plans, and enjoyed tag type activities more than other forms of movement.
Conclusions When compared to 3rd and 4th graders' data, the K-2nd graders' data was more normalized and there were fewer gender differences, yet both groups participated in similar activities.