New Study: School recess time increasing physical activity with fun games

While many schools are focusing on improving school food and nutrition policy to combat childhood obesity, many have also already cut down on recess and outdoor play time. While cutting back on recess may seem like a way to add more time for learning in the school day, a physical education research study has shown that physical activity gives a boost to attention and learning.

Improving school nutrition is a start, but increasing physical activity is key to combating childhood obesity, improving the learning environment and teaching all children wellness habits at an early age. An interesting study from Children's Hospital Boston shows which outdoor school recess games are enjoyable to children and promote healthy physical activity.

Researchers from Children’s Hospital Boston’s Clinical Research Program and UMass Amherst are "analyzing a group of recess type games for their energy expenditure and inviting kids to rank them in terms of fun, researchers are enlisting children to help them ‘prove’ which games are the healthiest and most fun recess activities"

The study is very useful for practical ideas for schools to encourage more enjoyable and effective physical activity during recess time. Over 30 games where tested by kids and the games that are top in both enjoyment ratings and physical energy expenditure are listed in a handy graph.  See the whole article:  Play Harder: Can Children's Researchers Quantify Fun?