Segmented school day sedentary behaviour and physical activity in a primary school–an observational study

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative observational study was to examine primary students’ sedentary behaviour (SB) and physical activity (PA) during segmented school days. The data of 2920 observation units was collected in all the primary schools in a city in southern Finland and analysed using cross-tabulation and z-tests. The results suggest that most SB was accumulated in theoretical subjects and most PA in recesses and physical education. Girls accumulated more ‘no motion’. Both genders’ ‘no motion’ increased when moving to the highest class level. In conclusion, the amount of ‘no motion’ needs to be studied and reduced, especially in classroom lessons.