title: Sports game play: a comparison of moderate to vigorous physical activities in adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research suggests participation in sports is an important contributor to overall adolescent physical activity (PA). Sports play has become increasingly important in physical education (PE) classes as a means for promoting healthful and enjoyable PA. Research is needed that investigates physiological and perceptual responses to sport play.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 101 (55 males; 46 females, age 11-14) students who participated in flag football (FF), basketball (BB), and flag rugby (FR). Activity counts were collected using accelerometers. Perceived competence and enjoyment were measured using the intrinsic motivation inventory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Each sport activity produced acceptable levels of activity and positive perceptual responses, but differences among sports were noted. Accelerometry data indicated that FR and BB were more intense than FF (p < .001). Perceptual data indicated participation in FR elicited higher perceptions of competence and greater enjoyment when compared to FF and BB (p < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participation in sport activity within middle school PE classes provides excellent opportunities for energy expenditure and positive perceptual responses. Most importantly, FR provides an activity stimulus that has potential benefits both physiologically and psychologically.
authors.affiliation: Teaching Associate, (mpatience@coastal.edu), Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC 29526.
authors.forename: Marcia A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Patience
authors.forename: Marcus W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Kilpatrick
authors.forename: Haichun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Sara B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Flory
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Watterson
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
keywords: middle school students; physical activity; sports