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Outdoor Kindergartens: A Structural Way to Improve Early Physical Activity Behaviour?

Author

Listed:
  • Jeanett Friis Rohde

    (Research Unit for Dietary Studies, The Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region, Nordre Fasanvej 57, Vej 8, Entrance 11, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark)

  • Sofus Christian Larsen

    (Research Unit for Dietary Studies, The Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region, Nordre Fasanvej 57, Vej 8, Entrance 11, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark)

  • Mathilde Sederberg

    (Department of Pedagogy, Education Research and Development, Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, Copenhagen University College, Campus Hillerød, Carlsbergvej 14, 3400 Hillerød, Denmark)

  • Anne Bahrenscheer

    (Department of Pedagogy, Education Research and Development, Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, Copenhagen University College, Campus Hillerød, Carlsbergvej 14, 3400 Hillerød, Denmark)

  • Ann-Kristine Nielsen

    (Research Unit for Dietary Studies, The Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region, Nordre Fasanvej 57, Vej 8, Entrance 11, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark)

  • Berit Lilienthal Heitmann

    (Research Unit for Dietary Studies, The Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region, Nordre Fasanvej 57, Vej 8, Entrance 11, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
    The Boden Initiative, The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
    Section for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Ina Olmer Specht

    (Research Unit for Dietary Studies, The Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region, Nordre Fasanvej 57, Vej 8, Entrance 11, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark)

Abstract

Background: Studies have shown that outdoor play in nature is associated with a higher physical activity level than indoor play. We aimed to examine the effect of outdoor versus conventional kindergartens on objectively measured physical activity. Method: Using a pre-test-post-test design, we collected data in four kindergartens that provided a rotating outdoor and conventional kindergarten setting. Step counts were measured during one week in the outdoor setting and one week in the conventional setting. Differences in step counts between the outdoor and conventional setting were analysed using a paired t-test. Results: In total, 74 children were included. There was no statistically significant difference in total daily step counts between children in the two settings. When we looked at step counts during kindergarten hours, we saw that children were more physically active in the outdoor setting compared to the conventional setting (mean difference: 1089, p < 0.0001). When we looked at activity during time outside the kindergarten, we discovered that children had a lower step count in the outdoor setting as compared to the conventional setting (mean difference −652, p = 0.01). Conclusion: This study indicates that children are more physically active during the time they spend in outdoor kindergartens compared to conventional kindergartens, but may compensate with more inactivity outside kindergarten hours.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeanett Friis Rohde & Sofus Christian Larsen & Mathilde Sederberg & Anne Bahrenscheer & Ann-Kristine Nielsen & Berit Lilienthal Heitmann & Ina Olmer Specht, 2023. "Outdoor Kindergartens: A Structural Way to Improve Early Physical Activity Behaviour?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:5131-:d:1097216
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ina Olmer Specht & Sofus Christian Larsen & Jeanett Friis Rohde & Jane Nautrup Østergaard & Berit Lilienthal Heitmann, 2022. "Comparison of Motor Difficulties Measured in the First Year of School among Children Who Attended Rural Outdoor or Urban Conventional Kindergartens," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-10, October.
    2. Casey Gray & Rebecca Gibbons & Richard Larouche & Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter & Adam Bienenstock & Mariana Brussoni & Guylaine Chabot & Susan Herrington & Ian Janssen & William Pickett & Marlene Powe, 2015. "What Is the Relationship between Outdoor Time and Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Physical Fitness in Children? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-20, June.
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