title: The challenge of understanding and assessing physical activity in preschool-age children: Thinking beyond the framework of intensity, duration and frequency of activity.
abstract: The physical activity behavior of young preschool-aged children is different from that seen in older children and adults, due in part to biological, psychosocial and cognitive immaturity. This paper: (a) provides an overview the relevant development of young children in relation to physical activity; and (b) outlines the relationship between child development, play, and physical activity in young children. Understanding, assessing and promoting physical activity in young children should include identification of contextual factors such as developmental stage and aspects of play.
authors.affiliation: The University of Sydney Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Australia. g.dwyer@usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Genevieve M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Dwyer
authors.forename: Louise A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Baur
authors.forename: Louise L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Hardy
mesh_terms: D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D010988:Play and Playthings