Hickerson Benjamin D, Henderson Karla A
Dept of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
J Phys Act Health. 2014 Jan;11(1):199-205. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2011-0263. Epub 2013 Jan 28.
Youth summer camp programs have the potential to provide opportunities for physical activity, but little to no research has been conducted to determine activity levels of campers. This study aimed to examine physical activity occurring in day and resident summer camps and how activity levels differed in these camps based upon demographic characteristics.
Pedometer data were collected during hours of camp operation from 150 day campers and 114 resident campers between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. Independent t tests were used to compare physical activity by sex, race, and Body Mass Index.
Campers at day camps averaged 11,916 steps per camp day, while resident campers averaged 19,699 steps per camp day. Day campers averaged 1586 steps per hour over 7.5 hour days and resident campers averaged 1515 steps per hour over 13 hour days. Male sex, Caucasian race, and normal Body Mass Index were significant correlates of more physical activity.
Youth summer camps demonstrate the potential to provide ample opportunities for physical activity during the summer months. Traditional demographic disparities persisted in camps, but the structure of camp programs should allow for changes to increase physical activity for all participants.
青少年夏令营项目有潜力提供体育活动机会，但几乎没有研究来确定营员的活动水平。本研究旨在调查日间和寄宿制夏令营中的体育活动情况，以及基于人口统计学特征，这些夏令营中的活动水平有何差异。
在夏令营运营时间内，收集了150名8至12岁日间营员和114名寄宿制营员的计步器数据。使用独立t检验按性别、种族和体重指数比较体育活动情况。
日间营营员平均每个营日走11916步，而寄宿制营营员平均每个营日走19699步。日间营营员在7.5小时的营日内平均每小时走1586步，寄宿制营营员在13小时的营日内平均每小时走1515步。男性、白种人以及正常体重指数与更多的体育活动显著相关。
青少年夏令营显示出在夏季月份提供充足体育活动机会的潜力。传统的人口统计学差异在夏令营中依然存在，但夏令营项目的结构应做出改变，以增加所有参与者的体育活动量。
