title: Efficacy and feasibility of lowering playground density to promote physical activity and to discourage sedentary time during recess at preschool: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study examined if lowering playground density is feasible and effective in improving preschoolers' activity and sedentary levels during recess.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November and December 2011, a within-subject design was used to study preschoolers' activity via accelerometry during recesses in the usual conditions (baseline) and with lower playground density (intervention). During the intervention, preschools scheduled extra recesses so that the number of classes usually sharing the playground was halved. Effects were investigated, using two-level linear regression models, in 128 4- to 6-year-old children (69 boys) from 4 preschools in Ghent, Belgium. The four preschool principals filled in a questionnaire after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, available play space was on average 7.4 (SD=1.7) m(2)/child; during the intervention this increased to 16.7 (SD=5.1) m(2)/child. The intervention was effective in decreasing sedentary time (-1 min; -5.1%) and increasing light-to-vigorous (+1 min; +5.1%) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (+0.8 min; +4.8%) during recess. None found it difficult to implement the intervention. All agreed it was possible to use this strategy in the future.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although it was feasible to implement this intervention, improvements in preschoolers' activity levels were small. This intervention could especially be important for preschools with higher playground density.
authors: Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Watersportlaan 2, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Eveline.VanCauwenberghe@UGent.be.
authors: Eveline
authors: E
authors: Van Cauwenberghe
authors: Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Watersportlaan 2, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Ilse.DeBourdeaudhuij@UGent.be.
authors: Ilse
authors: I
authors: De Bourdeaudhuij
authors: Department of Public Health, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, Blok A2, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Lea.Maes@UGent.be.
authors: Lea
authors: L
authors: Maes
authors: Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Watersportlaan 2, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Greet.Cardon@UGent.be.
authors: Greet
authors: G
authors: Cardon
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000288:Administrative Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D001530:Belgium; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011998:Recreation / Q000502:physiology*; D012572:School Health Services; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors