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Health Education Research Advance Access published online on July 14, 2004
Health Education Research, doi:10.1093/her/cyg101
© 2004 by Oxford University Press
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Received February 20, 2004
Accepted May 18, 2004

Original article

‘Physical education makes you fit and healthy’. Physical education's contribution to young people's physical activity levels

S. Fairclough 1* G. Stratton 2

1 REACH Group and School of Physical Education, Sport and Dance, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L17 6BD, UK
2 REACH Group and Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 2ET, UK

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: s.j.fairclough{at}livjm.ac.uk.


  Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess physical activity levels during high school physical education lessons. The data were considered in relation to recommended levels of physical activity to ascertain whether or not physical education can be effective in helping young people meet health-related goals. Sixty-two boys and 60 girls (aged 11-14 years) wore heart rate telemeters during physical education lessons. Percentages of lesson time spent in moderate-and-vigorous (MVPA) and vigorous intensity physical activity (VPA) were recorded for each student. Students engaged in MVPA and VPA for 34.3 ± 21.8 and 8.3 ± 11.1% of lesson time, respectively. This equated to 17.5 ± 12.9 (MVPA) and 3.9 ± 5.3 (VPA) min. Boys participated in MVPA for 39.4 ± 19.1% of lesson time compared to the girls (29.1 ± 23.4%; P < 0.01). High-ability students were more active than the average- and low-ability students. Students participated in most MVPA during team games (43.2 ± 19.5%; P < 0.01), while the least MVPA was observed during movement activities (22.2 ± 20.0%). Physical education may make a more significant contribution to young people's regular physical activity participation if lessons are planned and delivered with MVPA goals in mind.


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