Popping the bubble wrap- unleashing the power of play: an innovative playground intervention to increase children's physical activity
Cluster randomised controlled trial of an innovative intervention to increase children's physical activity
University of Sydney
250 participants
May 1, 2009
Interventional
Conditions
Summary
Disturbing numbers of children in Australia are overweight, bullied or have poor mental health – problems that are often inter-related. Recent decreases in outdoor play may be partly responsible. Outdoor play “pulls for” social interaction and physical activity; indoor play is often sedentary and solitary. Most young children love active outdoor play but parents and teachers fear injury. This project is a school-based intervention to increase outdoor play by: (1) adding 'loose part' materials to the playground and (2) helping adults change their views of risk associated with active play. We expect to demonstrate a significant effect on children’s activity levels, coping and social skills through strategies that are replicable in every school playground in the nation and to contribute to policy regarding play, health, and education.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria1
- Children in kindergarten or year 1 where the parents have given consent. The children to be approached to participate from each school are randomly chosen.
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Interventions
- Reprioritising play and reframing risk: one 2 hour workshop with teachers and parents. The adults will examine their beliefs regarding play and risk associated with active play. Discussions will focus on the benefits of play, healthy vs unhealthy risk and the consequences of preventing children from engaging in play and healthy risk taking. - Introduction of unstructured play materials: The play material (e.g. car tyres, milk crates, crash mats etc.) will be present on the school playgrounds during the 13 week intervention and can be used by all the children at the school.
Locations(1)
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ACTRN12611000089932