The Effect of Active Recess Implementation Applied to Middle School Students on Physical Activity Levels
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71350/ijpanh.39Keywords:
Physical activity, Middle school students, Systematic observation, Obesity, School environmentAbstract
Physical activity plays a crucial role in supporting healthy growth and development during childhood, reducing sedentary behaviors, and promoting the acquisition of lifelong healthy habits. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of an active recess implementation, applied through directive visuals placed on schoolyard walls, on students’ physical activity levels during recess. The study included 1150 middle school students enrolled in a public school. The data were collected as pre-test and post-test over a period of four weeks using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time systematic observation form. The first week was designated as the pre-test period, during which students’ physical activity levels were recorded through observation without any visual intervention. In the second, third, and fourth weeks, visuals encouraging physical activity were placed in appropriate areas of the schoolyard, and students’ physical activity levels were evaluated using the same observation method. Physical activity levels were classified into five categories: lying down, sitting, standing, walking, and being active. In data analysis, the Paired-Samples T-Test was applied to compare pre-test and post-test results. The findings revealed a 128.81% increase in active behavior and a 15.8% decrease in sitting behavior. Additionally, a significant increase in walking behavior was observed (p<0.05). In conclusion, the active recess implementation is an effective, low-cost, and practical method for increasing students’ participation in physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviors
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