School recess provides children with an environment in which to engage in both social interactions and physical activity. Research shows that student activity levels are positively affected by equipment, supervision, and structure (Ridgers et al. 2012). Less clear is the influence of social factors on student activity levels during recess. An ecological approach, adapted from Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) Social Ecological Model, informed this study of student activity during recess. Therefore, utilizing an ecological approach (McLeroy, Bibeau, Steckler, & Glanz, 1988), the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of interpersonal processes and factors on student activity levels during recess. Students from four elementary schools (N=179) wore accelerometers to monitor their physical activity for three consecutive days during recess and completed individual semi-structured interviews regarding their social interactions during recess. Student percentage of time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was used to group students into low (< 50% MVPA, [n=37]), medium (50% ≥ 70% MVPA, [n=80]), and high (> 70%, [n=59]) activity categories. Qualitative data for each activity category were coded and analyzed using constant comparison methodology (Strauss & Corbin, 1990). Quasi-statistical analysis was used to report frequency of like responses during interviews. Findings demonstrate that social factors influenced the low active students to a greater degree during recess than the highactive students, and this influence decreased as the percentage of time spent in MVPA increased. Further study of this phenomenon is warranted in order to recommend strategies for promoting physical activity during recess with the least active students.
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Conclusions: References
Bronfenbrenner, U., (1979). The ecology of human development. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press.
Strauss, A. & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques.Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
McLeroy, K. R., Bibeau, D., Steckler, A., & Glanz, K. (1988). An ecological perspective on health promotion programs. Health Education Quarterly, 15, 351-377.
Ridgers, N. D., Salmon, J., Parrish, A., Stanley, R. M., & Okely, A. D. (2012). Physical activity during school recess: A systematic review. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 43, 320-328.