Bronwyn S Fees1, Elexa Fischer2, Sherry Haar2, Linda K Crowe2. 1. Department of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. Electronic address: fees@ksu.edu. 2. Department of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Movement patterns among toddlers (16-36 months) differ from other early developmental periods; toddlers practice coordination, balance, and control. Toddler care environments may afford repetition of these emerging skills. This study examined intensity and type of movements during free-play indoors in child care among toddlers. METHODS: A convenience sample (n, 41; mean, 26.5 months) was observed for intensity of physical activity (PA), motor activity type, activity context, and teacher prompts in center-based care using a modified version of the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity for Children-Preschool. RESULTS: The most frequent PA intensity level was sedentary with limb movement. No significant gender differences emerged. Standing, sitting/squatting, and walking were the most frequent activity types. Dominant activity contexts included fine motor manipulative, self-care, and onlooking. Logistic regression results indicated that onlooking significantly decreased the odds of moderate to vigorous PA. Teachers offered few prompts to increase PA. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Toddlers demonstrate predominantly sedentary behaviors during free-play. Further observational research across the entire day is warranted to accurately assess intensity and teacher's support for moderate to vigorous PA.
OBJECTIVE: Movement patterns among toddlers (16-36 months) differ from other early developmental periods; toddlers practice coordination, balance, and control. Toddler care environments may afford repetition of these emerging skills. This study examined intensity and type of movements during free-play indoors in child care among toddlers. METHODS: A convenience sample (n, 41; mean, 26.5 months) was observed for intensity of physical activity (PA), motor activity type, activity context, and teacher prompts in center-based care using a modified version of the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity for Children-Preschool. RESULTS: The most frequent PA intensity level was sedentary with limb movement. No significant gender differences emerged. Standing, sitting/squatting, and walking were the most frequent activity types. Dominant activity contexts included fine motor manipulative, self-care, and onlooking. Logistic regression results indicated that onlooking significantly decreased the odds of moderate to vigorous PA. Teachers offered few prompts to increase PA. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Toddlers demonstrate predominantly sedentary behaviors during free-play. Further observational research across the entire day is warranted to accurately assess intensity and teacher's support for moderate to vigorous PA.
Authors: Paul J Collings; Soren Brage; Daniel D Bingham; Silvia Costa; Jane West; Rosemary R C McEachan; John Wright; Sally E Barber Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc Date: 2017-05 Impact factor: 5.411
Authors: Herminia Vega-Perona; Isaac Estevan; Yolanda Cabrera García-Ochoa; Daniel A Martínez-Bello; María Del Mar Bernabé-Villodre; Vladimir E Martínez-Bello Journal: Children (Basel) Date: 2022-01-03