Abstract

The present study has examined the influence of additional required physical education upon childhood patterns of physical activity, in relation to sex andmilieu (urban, or rural-industrial). The subjects were an appropriately stratified group of 281 students aged 10-12 years, who since entry to primary school had participated in either a standard or an enhanced program of physical education. An activity diary was maintained for a weekday and a weekend day during March (urban and rural) and September (rural sample only). A daily retrospective activity questionnaire was also administered for 7 days in March. Girls spent more time in domestic duties than the boys, but allocated less time to light-moderate activity and vigorous activity. Relative to their rural counterparts, urban children spent less time in very light-light activity but more time in light-moderate activity, respective daily walking distances were 2.4 and 1.23 km/day. The experimental program (nominal additional hour of physical education each weekday) enhanced vigorous weekday activity by 0.73 h per day. On weekend days, the experimental group was also more active than controls. It is concluded that an added hour of required physical education per school day leads to a useful augmentation in the overall activity of the primary schoolchild. Verf.-Referat (gekuerzt)