At-Risk Youth in an After-School Program: Structured vs. Unstructured Physical Activity

Authors

  • Christopher John Kinder University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Karen Lux Gaudreault Illinois State University
  • Jayne M. Jenkins University of Wyoming
  • Christine E. Wade University of Wyoming
  • Amelia Mays Woods University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TPE-2019-V76-I5-9016

Keywords:

after-school program, structured physical activity, unstructured physical activity, at-risk youth, self-determination theory, physical education

Abstract

Youth physical activity (PA) levels are a central focus for physical educators and health professionals worldwide. This study (a) examined the PA levels of children during structured and unstructured PA lessons of an after-school program (ASP) and (b) described the children’s perceptions of structured and unstructured PA. Participants were 31 children, Mage (10.37 ± 1.4 yrs.), BMI percentile (79.86 ± 28.01), who actively participated in an ASP. Activity measurements examined mean steps per minute, percentage of MVPA, and percentage of activity time during unstructured and structured PA opportunities. Children accumulated higher mean steps per minute and percentage of activity time during unstructured PA; however, they had a higher mean percentage of MVPA during structured PA. There were statistically significant differences between mean steps per minute and mean percentage activity time. The findings suggest that implementation of forms of unstructured PA may increase the daily PA of youth and help them to meet recent national recommendations.

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Author Biography

Christopher John Kinder, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Kinesiology and Community Health Doctoral Student

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Published

2019-12-03

Issue

Vol. 76 No. 5 (2019)

Section

Articles

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