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Levels of physical activity during physical education lessons in Sweden
Author(s) -
Fröberg Andreas,
Raustorp Anders,
Pagels Peter,
Larsson Christel,
Boldemann Cecilia
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.13551
Subject(s) - orienteering , medicine , physical education , physical activity , physical fitness , physical therapy , demography , mathematics , medical education , mathematical optimization , sociology
Aim The aim of this study was to measure the percentage of sedentary light and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (% MVPA ) provided by physical education ( PE ) lessons for Swedish second, fifth and eighth grade students, aged eight, 11 and 14. Methods We observed 39 PE lessons and divided them into seven lesson categories: ball play, ball games, dance, fitness, playing games, orienteering and gymnastics. Physical activity ( PA ) during PE was estimated using accelerometers and the height and weight of the children were measured. Results We studied 149 children: 63 in the second grade, 66 in the fifth grade and 19 in the eighth grade. On average, 25% of the PE lessons were spent in MVPA and the mean % MVPA varied with the lesson content, with fitness, orienteering and playing games being the most intense. The highest % MVPA was in the fitness category, providing 33% (8–62%) for girls and 37% (7–72%) for boys. With the exception of the second grade, no significant gender differences in % MVPA were seen. Conclusion The content of Swedish PE lessons affected the % MVPA in all age groups. In some content, individuals reached two‐thirds of their daily PA recommendations, highlighting the potential that PE contributes to public health goals.