title: Energy Cost of Free-Play Activities in 10- to 11-Year-Old Children.
abstract: This study sought to ascertain the energy expenditure (EE) associated with different sedentary and physically active free-play activities in primary school-aged children.
  
  
  
  Twenty-eight children (13 boys; 11.4 ± 0.3 years; 1.45 ± 0.09 m; 20.0 ± 4.7 kg∙m-2) from 1 primary school in Northwest England engaged in 6 activities representative of children's play for 10 minutes (drawing, watching a DVD, playground games and free-choice) and 5 minutes (self-paced walking and jogging), with 5 minutes rest between each activity. Gas exchange variables were measured throughout. Resting energy expenditure was measured during 15 minutes of supine rest.
  
  
  
  Child (Schofield-predicted) MET values for watching a DVD, self-paced jogging and playing reaction ball were significantly higher for girls (P < .05).
  
  
  
  Utilizing a field-based protocol to examine children's free-living behaviors, these data contribute to the scarcity of information concerning children's EE during play to update the Compendium of Energy Expenditures for Youth.
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering, Swansea University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kelly Alexandra
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Mackintosh
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ridley
authors.forename: Gareth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stratton
authors.forename: Nicola D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Ridgers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male