title: A recess intervention to promote moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schools provide a prime environment for interventions that attempt to increase physical activity and prevent obesity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the effect of a 30-min, structured recess using 22 games of known energy expenditure on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity when compared to free play implemented with third graders from two elementary schools over 9 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and other cardiovascular risk factors were assessed pre- and post-intervention in 27 children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during recess increased significantly in intervention school children from 6.9 ± 0.8 to 14.9 ± 0.9 min pre- and post-intervention, respectively (adjusted mean change 8.0 ± 1.1; P < 0.0001), with no differences by gender or body mass index (BMI). In-school, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity also increased significantly more for intervention compared to control children (adjusted mean change 14 ± 4 min vs. 3 ± 3 min; P = 0.014, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no significant difference in BMI and cardiovascular risk factors. A structured recess is feasible to implement and can significantly increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Freedson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alhassan
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Osganian
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011998:Recreation / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012574:Schools