Lemberg Getter Marie, Kull Merike, Mäestu Jarek, Riso Eva-Maria, Mägi Katrin, Mäestu Evelin
Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Front Sports Act Living. 2024 Sep 16;6:1433801. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1433801. eCollection 2024.
School day structure has the potential to increase students' physical activity (PA) levels and form positive attitudes about PA. Including various PA opportunities and free play possibilities in the school schedule, especially outdoor recess, can improve students' moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) levels during school time. Therefore, the main aim of the study was to investigate students' and their parents' attitudes about outdoor recess and PA opportunities in schools with different recess opportunities.
Students from grades three to six (9-13-year-olds) and their parents responded to a questionnaire about the effect of outdoor recess and opportunities for PA during the school day. Schools were divided into three groups based on the recess opportunities during the school day: (1) "outdoor recess", (2) "outdoor recess on some days", (3) "indoor recess".
Students and parents of the "outdoor recess" group had significantly more positive attitudes about outdoor recess and PA opportunities in school. Students of the "outdoor recess" group stated being significantly more active during their leisure-time compared to other groups. Parents of the "outdoor recess" group stated that the school has asked their opinion regarding PA opportunities during the school day significantly more compared to the other two groups.
These findings emphasize the positive effect outdoor recess can have on students' PA beliefs and habits. Parents of the "outdoor recess" group also had more positive attitudes toward PA which is important as parents most likely convey their attitudes and beliefs to their children. In addition, involving and informing parents is critical when changing the school schedule and introducing new school culture, to make the changes last.
学校日程安排有潜力提高学生的身体活动（PA）水平，并形成对身体活动的积极态度。在学校日程中纳入各种身体活动机会和自由玩耍的可能性，尤其是户外课间休息，可以提高学生在校期间的中等到剧烈身体活动（MVPA）水平。因此，本研究的主要目的是调查不同课间休息机会的学校中，学生及其家长对户外课间休息和身体活动机会的态度。
三至六年级（9至13岁）的学生及其家长回答了一份关于户外课间休息和在校期间身体活动机会影响的问卷。根据在校期间的课间休息机会，学校被分为三组：（1）“户外课间休息”，（2）“部分日子户外课间休息”，（3）“室内课间休息”。
“户外课间休息”组的学生和家长对户外课间休息和学校的身体活动机会有明显更积极的态度。与其他组相比，“户外课间休息”组的学生表示在休闲时间明显更活跃。与其他两组相比，“户外课间休息”组的家长表示学校就在校期间的身体活动机会征求他们意见的次数明显更多。
这些发现强调了户外课间休息对学生身体活动观念和习惯可能产生的积极影响。“户外课间休息”组的家长对身体活动也有更积极的态度，这很重要，因为家长很可能会将他们的态度和观念传达给孩子。此外，在改变学校日程和引入新的学校文化时，让家长参与并告知他们相关信息对于使这些改变持续下去至关重要。
