Physical Activity Levels in Grade 3 Children During the School Day

The purpose of this study was to analyze physical activity (PA) levels in Grade 3 boys and girls during the school day Participants (281 M, 284 F) wore accelerometers (CSA, Inc.) for 7 consecutive days. Time spent in moderate (3-5.9 MET) and vigorous (> 6 MET) PA was determined BMI was calculated from standard measures of height and weight ANOVA was used to examine the average time spent in moderate and vigorous PA before, during, and after school, at recess, lunch, and after 6 p m. for boys and &rls. Percentage of daily PA before school: boys 9 2% (16.8 mm) vs. girls 90% (15 3 min), during school: boys 25 1% (46 0 mm) vs. girls 250% (42 3 n-un), after school: boys 31 4% (574 mm) vs. girls 32 2% (54 5 mm) Percentage of daily PA during recess: boys 2 3% (4.3 min) vs girls 2.2% (3.8 mm); at lunch: boys 9.8% (17.9 nun) vs. girls 94% (15 9 mm); after 6 p.m.: boys 22.6% (41 3 mm) vs. girls 21,8% (36.9 mm). There were significant differences in PA between genders at lunch, during school, after school, and after 6 p iii Grade 3 boys and girls obtain approximately 63% of their daily PA levels outside of school.