Indoor waterpark: An examination of physical activity levels and use patterns of youth participants

Abstract

This study examined patterns and levels of physical activity of youth participants at an indoor waterpark in rural southern Indiana. The System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) was the instrument used to guide data collection for the study to determine youth physical activity postures coded as sedentary, walking, or vigorous. Participants consisted of youths, ages 4 to18, who attended the park during the data collection. Results converged into seven main target areas representing data for age groupings, gender, and physical activity postures. Frequencies were calculated for variables involving counts and moderatevigorous physical activity (MVPA). A series of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed using total metabolic equivalents (METs). Physical activity in the waterpark was shown to have the capability to produce moderate and vigorous levels of physical activity overall and to also generate a variety of differences among individuals and activity areas at the facility. © 2013 Human Kinetics, Inc.