Accelerometer-Assessed Physical Activity and Sedentary Time at School for Children with Disabilities: Seasonal Variation

Cindy H.P. Sit, Wendy Y. Huang, Jane J. Yu and Thomas L. McKenzie
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Cindy H.P. Sit: Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Wendy Y. Huang: Department of Sport and Physical Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
Jane J. Yu: Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Thomas L. McKenzie: School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120, USA

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-7

Abstract: Schools are salient locations for children with disabilities to accrue physical activity (PA) and to diminish sedentary time (ST). We examined seasonal variation in accelerometer-assessed PA and ST among children with disabilities during the school day in three school settings (physical education (PE) lessons, recess and lunchtime). Children ( n = 270) from 13 special schools for those with five disability types (visual impairments, hearing impairments, physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities (ID), and social development problems) participated. Their PA and ST were assessed during three winter and three summer school days using accelerometry. Linear mixed models were performed to determine seasonal variation in the proportion of time they spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and ST in the three settings. On average, the children spent 4.5% (18.6 min) and 4.0% (15.6 min) in MVPA at school during winter and summer days, respectively. They were more physically active during winter (especially during recess and lunchtime), but there were no seasonal differences for ST. Thus, children’s year-round engagement in PA needs to be promoted, especially during summer.

Keywords: seasons; children; adolescents; schools; physical education; physical activity; sedentary time (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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