Student Major/Year in School
Kinesiology, Pre-Occupational Therapy, second year
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Emily L. Mailey, Department of Kinesiology, College of Human Ecology
Abstract
National statistics and trends show an increase in childhood obesity, and lack of physical activity (PA) among children may contribute to these trends. The overall purpose of this study was to observe and collect data on the PA of children grades K-6 attending two local Boys and Girls Club (BCG) after school programs. Both sites were observed for one week at baseline. Physical activity data were collected from the children objectively via accelerometers. The researchers observing the sites logged setting characteristics (minutes of active recreation time offered) and BGC staff behaviors (PA encouragement or discouragement). Baseline results showed children at Site 1 averaged 58% of the session in sedentary time, 32% in light activity, and 10% in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Children at Site 2 averaged 46% in sedentary time, 39% in light activity, and 15% in MVPA. Site 1 offered an average of 29 minutes of active recreation time a day, and Site 2 offered an average of 43 minutes per day. At Site 1, researchers recorded 9 instances of PA discouragement and 6 instances of encouragement, compared to 19 PA discouragement and 20 encouragement instances at Site 2. Following baseline observations, both sites will receive a brief training intervention introducing several options to promote and encourage PA in their programs. Subsequently, the research team will observe and collect follow-up data from both sites for an additional week. We expect to see increases in the children’s PA, more positive PA promotion from BGC staff leaders, and provision of more PA opportunities in the BGC after school program.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Garcia, Jerica (2019). "AN INVESTIGATION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AT BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB," Kansas State University Undergraduate Research Conference. https://newprairiepress.org/ksuugradresearch/2019/posters/13
AN INVESTIGATION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AT BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
National statistics and trends show an increase in childhood obesity, and lack of physical activity (PA) among children may contribute to these trends. The overall purpose of this study was to observe and collect data on the PA of children grades K-6 attending two local Boys and Girls Club (BCG) after school programs. Both sites were observed for one week at baseline. Physical activity data were collected from the children objectively via accelerometers. The researchers observing the sites logged setting characteristics (minutes of active recreation time offered) and BGC staff behaviors (PA encouragement or discouragement). Baseline results showed children at Site 1 averaged 58% of the session in sedentary time, 32% in light activity, and 10% in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Children at Site 2 averaged 46% in sedentary time, 39% in light activity, and 15% in MVPA. Site 1 offered an average of 29 minutes of active recreation time a day, and Site 2 offered an average of 43 minutes per day. At Site 1, researchers recorded 9 instances of PA discouragement and 6 instances of encouragement, compared to 19 PA discouragement and 20 encouragement instances at Site 2. Following baseline observations, both sites will receive a brief training intervention introducing several options to promote and encourage PA in their programs. Subsequently, the research team will observe and collect follow-up data from both sites for an additional week. We expect to see increases in the children’s PA, more positive PA promotion from BGC staff leaders, and provision of more PA opportunities in the BGC after school program.
