Contribution of school recess to daily physical activity: systematic review and evidence appraisal

Reilly, J. J., Johnston, G., McIntosh, S. and Martin, A. (2016) Contribution of school recess to daily physical activity: systematic review and evidence appraisal. Health Behavior and Policy Review, 3(6), pp. 581-589. (doi: 10.14485/HBPR.3.6.7)

Abstract

Objective: We estimated levels of school recess moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). Methods: A systematic review was carried out in MEDLINE and SportDiscus to identify observational studies where MVPA had been measured objectively during school recess. Study quality was assessed. Results: Twenty-four eligible studies in primary school pupils (N = 5778), revealed a weighted mean of 12 minutes MVPA per school day. Only 2 eligible studies were identified involving high school pupils (N = 399). The evidence was generally of moderately high quality. Conclusions: Recess makes a small contribution to daily MVPA. Substantial policy effort is likely to be needed if recess is to make a more useful contribution to MVPA among children and adolescents.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Martin, Dr Anne
• Authors: Reilly, J. J., Johnston, G., McIntosh, S., and Martin, A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Health Behavior and Policy Review
• Publisher: Paris Scholar
• ISSN: 2326-4403
• ISSN (Online): 2326-4403
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Paris Scholar
• First Published: First published in Health Behavior and Policy Review 3(6):581-589
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher