Effects of an instructional resource on preschool children's physical activity levels / Nadine van Wyk

Children are not obtaining adequate amounts of physical activity (PA) and it is important to determine how we can increase PA. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of a physical activity curriculum resource, Busy Bodies©, on preschool children’s physical activity levels. A total of five preschools from the NW quadrant of Calgary, Alberta were included in this study. The 48 participants involved in the study were all 4 years old. The preschools were divided into three groups: Control Group (no intervention), Intervention Group (school received the resource), and Intervention and Teacher Training Group (schools received the resource and teacher training). The researcher placed pedometers on all participants and observed selected participants using the System of Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT). The results of this study did not confirm that teacher training impacted physical activity levels. The effects of the resource on the Intervention and Intervention and Teacher Training groups were similar as derived from pedometer and direct observation. Alternative forms of teacher intervention may further increase physical activity.

Authors

• Van Wyk, Nadine
• University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education

• Physical education for children -- Alberta
• Physical fitness for children -- Alberta
• Preschool children -- Health and hygiene -- Alberta
• Dissertations, Academic

Identifier

hdl:10133/2607

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.uleth.ca:10133/2607