title: Voices in the playground: a qualitative exploration of the barriers and facilitators of lunchtime play.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore children's perceptions of the factors influencing their engagement in physical activity during the "critical" lunchtime period, using a social-ecological framework.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was an in-depth descriptive qualitative design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four South Australian children aged 10-13 years participated in same-gender focus groups. Transcripts, field notes and activity documents were analysed using content analysis. Using an inductive thematic approach, data were coded and categorised into perceived barriers and facilitators according to a social-ecological model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children identified a range of environmental, social and intrapersonal barriers and facilitators. Bullying/teasing, the school uniform and school rules were exposed as explicit barriers to lunchtime play. Other important barriers included lack of access to, and poor suitability of, space, lack of access to programs/facilities and equipment, and lack of peer and teacher support. Perceived facilitators of lunchtime physical activity centred on access to equipment, enjoyment, motivation to improve skills, and peer support and acceptance. The freedom to make up or modify rules for games was also perceived to be a facilitator of lunchtime play.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Communicating with children has been an effective approach in uncovering perceived barriers and facilitators to lunchtime play that may not have been previously considered in the quantitative correlate literature. Lunchtime interventions targeting children's physical activity should focus on addressing the barriers perceived to be important to lunchtime play.
authors.affiliation: Health and Use of Time Group, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5001, Australia. starm002@mymail.unisa.edu.au
authors.forename: Rebecca M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.forename: Kobie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boshoff
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dollman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012574:Schools; D013021:South Australia