Skip to main content
American Journal of Public Health logoLink to American Journal of Public Health
. 1993 Feb;83(2):262–264. doi: 10.2105/ajph.83.2.262

The physical activity of fifth-grade students during physical education classes.

B G Simons-Morton 1, W C Taylor 1, S A Snider 1, I W Huang 1
PMCID: PMC1694589  PMID: 8427337

Abstract

One hundred fifty-seven fifth-grade students in 20 of the 355 elementary schools in one Texas county were systematically observed during physical education classes. On average, the students spent 8.5% of class time in moderate to vigorous physical activity, 23.3% in minimal activity, and 68.1% in sedentary activity. None of the schools averaged 20% of class time in moderate to vigorous physical activity. The levels of physical activity observed are substantially lower than the levels called for in national health objectives.

Full text

PDF
262

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. McGinnis J. M., Kanner L., DeGraw C. Physical education's role in achieving national health objectives. Res Q Exerc Sport. 1991 Jun;62(2):138–142. doi: 10.1080/02701367.1991.10608702. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. O'Hara N. M., Baranowski T., Simons-Morton B. G., Wilson B. S., Parcel G. Validity of the observation of children's physical activity. Res Q Exerc Sport. 1989 Mar;60(1):42–47. doi: 10.1080/02701367.1989.10607412. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Parcel G. S., Simons-Morton B. G., O'Hara N. M., Baranowski T., Kolbe L. J., Bee D. E. School promotion of healthful diet and exercise behavior: an integration of organizational change and social learning theory interventions. J Sch Health. 1987 Apr;57(4):150–156. doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1987.tb04163.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Powell K. E., Dysinger W. Childhood participation in organized school sports and physical education as precursors of adult physical activity. Am J Prev Med. 1987 Sep-Oct;3(5):276–281. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Sallis J. F., McKenzie T. L. Physical education's role in public health. Res Q Exerc Sport. 1991 Jun;62(2):124–137. doi: 10.1080/02701367.1991.10608701. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Sallis J. F., Simons-Morton B. G., Stone E. J., Corbin C. B., Epstein L. H., Faucette N., Iannotti R. J., Killen J. D., Klesges R. C., Petray C. K. Determinants of physical activity and interventions in youth. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992 Jun;24(6 Suppl):S248–S257. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Simons-Morton B. G., O'Hara N. M., Parcel G. S., Huang I. W., Baranowski T., Wilson B. Children's frequency of participation in moderate to vigorous physical activities. Res Q Exerc Sport. 1990 Dec;61(4):307–314. doi: 10.1080/02701367.1990.10607492. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Simons-Morton B. G., Parcel G. S., Baranowski T., Forthofer R., O'Hara N. M. Promoting physical activity and a healthful diet among children: results of a school-based intervention study. Am J Public Health. 1991 Aug;81(8):986–991. doi: 10.2105/ajph.81.8.986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Simons-Morton B. G., Parcel G. S., O'Hara N. M., Blair S. N., Pate R. R. Health-related physical fitness in childhood: status and recommendations. Annu Rev Public Health. 1988;9:403–425. doi: 10.1146/annurev.pu.09.050188.002155. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from American Journal of Public Health are provided here courtesy of American Public Health Association

RESOURCES