Children's Enjoyment of a Physical Activity Incorporated into the School Day

Abstract

Abstract Walking, jogging and running (WJR) are popular fitness activities and some of the best cardiovascular activities for individual health that persons of all ages can perform. Most persons recall how much fun they had as young children in free play, running and jumping and just playing with their friends, however research suggests that many children do not engage in the recommended amount of daily physical activity. The purpose of this study was to assess the experience of 5th grade students in a Mid-Western Elementary school (N = 67) participating in a two-week WJR intervention during their school day. Students were given the opportunity to participate in WJR for a daily 10- minute continuous period each day, and they completed surveys prior to the intervention, at the end of the intervention, and a final time 1- week post- intervention. Students completed pre and post measures of participation in, and enjoyment and benefit of WJR outside the school setting, and pre and post measures of participation in, enjoyment, and benefit of the WJR intervention. It was hypothesized that students' WJR activity outside the school day would be higher immediately post intervention and 1- week post intervention than prior to the intervention. In addition, it was hypothesized that students would enjoy the WJR activity and report higher enjoyment of WJR outside the school day immediately post- intervention and 1- week post intervention than prior to the intervention. Finally, it was hypothesized that students would report academic and health benefits as a result of participating in the WJR intervention immediate post intervention and 1- week post intervention. No gender differences were expected. Keywords: exercise, enjoyment, elementary school