title: Space, body, time and relationship experiences of recess physical activity: a qualitative case study among the least physical active schoolchildren.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increasing recess physical activity has been the aim of several interventions, as this setting can provide numerous physical activity opportunities. However, it is unclear if these interventions are equally effective for all children, or if they only appeal to children who are already physically active. This study was conducted to explore the least physically active children's "lived experiences" within four existential lifeworlds linked to physical activity during recess: space, body, time, and relations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study builds on ethnographic fieldwork in a public school in Denmark using a combination of participatory photo interviews and participant observation. Thirty-seven grade five children (11-12 years old) were grouped in quartiles based on their objectively measured daily physical activity levels. Eight children in the lowest activity quartile (six girls) were selected to participate in the study. To avoid stigmatising and to make generalisations more reliable we further recruited eight children from the two highest activity quartiles (four girls) to participate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An analysis of the least physically active children's "lived experiences" of space, body, time and relations revealed several key factors influencing their recess physical activity: perceived classroom safety, indoor cosiness, lack of attractive outdoor facilities, bodily dissatisfaction, bodily complaints, tiredness, feeling bored, and peer influence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that the four existential lifeworlds provided an in-depth understanding of the least physically active children's "lived experiences" of recess physical activity. Our findings imply that specific intervention strategies might be needed to increase the least physically active children's physical activity level. For example, rethinking the classroom as a space for physical activity, designing schoolyards with smaller secluded spaces and varied facilities, improving children's self-esteem and body image, e.g., during physical education, and creating teacher organised play activities during recess.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark. cspawlowski@health.sdu.dk.|Centre for Intervention Research in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5a, 1353, Copenhagen K, Denmark. cspawlowski@health.sdu.dk.
authors.forename: Charlotte Skau
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Pawlowski
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark. hbandersen@health.sdu.dk.|Centre for Intervention Research in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5a, 1353, Copenhagen K, Denmark. hbandersen@health.sdu.dk.
authors.forename: Henriette Bondo
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Centre for Intervention Research in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5a, 1353, Copenhagen K, Denmark. titt@niph.dk.|The National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5 A, 2, 1353, Copenhagen K, Denmark. titt@niph.dk.
authors.forename: Tine
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tjørnhøj-Thomsen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark. jtroelsen@health.sdu.dk.|Centre for Intervention Research in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5a, 1353, Copenhagen K, Denmark. jtroelsen@health.sdu.dk.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Troelsen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark. jschipperijn@health.sdu.dk.|Centre for Intervention Research in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Øster Farimagsgade 5a, 1353, Copenhagen K, Denmark. jschipperijn@health.sdu.dk.
authors.forename: Jasper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schipperijn
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D001887:Boredom; D002648:Child; D003718:Denmark; D004779:Environment Design; D015444:Exercise; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010379:Peer Group; D010465:Perception; D010988:Play and Playthings; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012449:Safety; D012574:Schools; D012649:Self Concept