title: School and individual-level characteristics are associated with children's moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity during school recess.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to identify school environmental characteristics associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity during school recess, including morning and lunch breaks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Accelerometry data, child-level characteristics and school physical activity, policy and socio-cultural data were collected from 408 sixth grade children (mean age 11 years) attending 27 metropolitan primary schools in Perth, Western Australia. Hierarchical modelling identified key characteristics associated with children's recess moderate to vigorous physical activity (RMVPA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly 40% of variability in children's RMVPA was explained by school environment and individual characteristics identified in this study. Children's higher daily RMVPA was associated with newer schools, schools with a higher number of grassed surfaces per child and fewer shaded grassed surfaces, and the physical education coordinator meeting Australian physical activity guidelines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Characteristics of the school physical and social environments are strongly correlated with children's MPVA during recess.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The school environment is an ideal target for maximising children's physical activity during recess. Future research could examine the impact of modifying these environmental characteristics on children's school physical activity.
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia. karen.martin@uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bremner
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salmon
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: Billie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Giles-Corti
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010988:Play and Playthings; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012574:Schools; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D014904:Western Australia