Initiative Description: Intervention involved policy changes (i.e., a maximum of 5 min sitting period at recess and 10 min at lunch, a minimum 5 min extension of each break period, a revision of each schools policies to encourage maximum access to sporting fields during breaks times, and implementation of a “no hat, no play” policy) and providing portable equipment (soccer balls, basketballs, rugby balls, large rubber balls, small bouncy balls, skipping ropes, hoops, two cricket sets, and catch cups) to break-time.
Study Results: Increased MVPA at recess. Students from the intervention schools had a greater increase at follow-up in the proportion of break-time in MVPA.
Reference: Parrish, A., Okely, A. D., Batterham, M., Cliff, D., & Magee, C. (2016). PACE: A group randomised controlled trial to increase children’s break-time playground physical activity. Journal of Science & Medicine In Sport, 19(5), 413-418
Level of Evidence: Very Good
Interesting policy changes to increase MVPA!