title: Environmental characteristics and student physical activity in PE class: findings from two large urban areas of Texas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical education (PE) classes provide opportunities for children to be active. This study examined the associations between specific environmental characteristics (teacher characteristics; class size, duration and location; and lesson context) and elementary school-aged children's moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA) during PE.
  
  
  METHODS
  Environmental characteristics and student activity levels were measured in 211 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade PE classes in 74 Texas public schools using SOFIT direct observation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students engaged in less than half their PE class time in MVPA (38%), while approximately 25% of class time was spent in classroom management. Percent time in MVPA was significantly higher in outdoor classes compared with indoors (41.4% vs. 36.1%, P = .037). Larger (P = .044) and longer (P = .001) classes were negatively associated with percentage of MVPA and positively correlated with time spent in management (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that children's activity may be influenced by environmental factors such as class size, location, and lesson contexts. These findings hold important policy implications for PE class organization and the need for strategies that maximize children's MVPA. Further research is needed to test the causal association of these factors with student MVPA.
authors.affiliation: Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living, School of Public Health, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Skala
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Springer
authors.forename: Shreela V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Deanna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hoelscher
authors.forename: Steven H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kelder
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D004777:Environment; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D011634:Public Health; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D040241:Social Marketing; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013781:Texas; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data