NDSU logo

NDSU Repository

View Item 
  •   NDSU Repository Home
  • NDSU Theses & Dissertations
  • Human Development & Family Science
  • Human Development & Family Science Doctoral Work
  • View Item
  •   NDSU Repository Home
  • NDSU Theses & Dissertations
  • Human Development & Family Science
  • Human Development & Family Science Doctoral Work
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Physical Activity of Preschool Aged Children during Childcare: Examination of Seasonal Changes and an Evaluation of a Dance-Based Intervention

Thumbnail
Author/Creator
Schuna, John Micheal
More Information
Show full item record

View/Open

Physical Activity of Preschool Aged Children During Childcare Examination of Seasonal Changes and an Evaluation of a Dance-based Intervention.pdf (1.206Mb)
Abstract
The purpose of this dissertation was to prospectively track preschoolers' physical activity (PA) during childcare while investigating for seasonal differences in accelerometer measured PA between the fall and winter months in Fargo, North Dakota. This dissertation also evaluated the feasibility of a novel dance-based intervention for increasing PA and reducing sedentary (SED) time in childcare using short activity breaks (< 10 min) interspersed throughout the childcare day. Two studies were conducted as part of this dissertation. The first study (Paper 1) examined for seasonal differences in preschoolers' PA. The second study (Paper 2) evaluated the feasibility of a novel dance-based intervention for increasing PA and reducing SED time during childcare. Preschool aged children (3-5 years) were recruited from four childcare centers in Fargo, North Dakota, to participate in both studies. Children (N = 59) in study one wore an accelerometer during childcare for 5 days in October/November 2011 (fall) and for 5 days in January/February 2012 (winter). Significant decreases in all intensities of PA were observed from fall to winter. Levels of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) decreased by 17% (p < .01), while SED time increased by 3.2% (p < .01). Children averaged 6.1 min/hr of MVPA across the two assessment periods. Levels of MVPA among preschool children from this study fell within the range of estimates reported in the current literature. Findings from study one suggest that preschoolers' PA levels can substantially change across seasons. For study two, four childcare centers were randomly assigned (cluster randomized design) to take part in a novel dance-based PA intervention or to serve as a control site. Preschoolers (N = 61; intervention group [n = 30], control group [n = 31]) wore an accelerometer while at childcare for 5 days at baseline in January 2012 and for 5 days during the intervention in February 2012. No significant differences between groups in baseline to intervention period changes for MVPA or SED time were observed. Results from study two indicate that adding an additional 15-20 min of dance to preschoolers' childcare day did not significantly increase MVPA or reduce SED time.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/10365/26699
Collections
  • Human Development & Family Science Doctoral Work

Student Focused, Land Grant, Research Institution

  • Campus Map
    • Campus Map (pdf)
    • Building list
    • Campus Offices
  • Equity
  • Employment
  • Phone/Email Directory
  • Online Services
    • Blackboard
    • One Stop
    • Campus Connection
    • IT Help Desk
    • Libraries
    • Email
    • Student Success Collaborative
  • Registration And Records
    • Course Schedule
    • Dates and Deadlines
North Dakota State University - Libraries
Circulation: (701) 231-8888 | Reference: (701) 231-8886
Administration: (701) 231-8753
Main Library address: 1201 Albrecht Boulevard
Mailing address: Dept #2080 PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Site manager: Site manager
Contact Us |
 
Advanced Search

Browse

All of NDSU RepositoryCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

My Account

Login

Student Focused, Land Grant, Research Institution

  • Campus Map
    • Campus Map (pdf)
    • Building list
    • Campus Offices
  • Equity
  • Employment
  • Phone/Email Directory
  • Online Services
    • Blackboard
    • One Stop
    • Campus Connection
    • IT Help Desk
    • Libraries
    • Email
    • Student Success Collaborative
  • Registration And Records
    • Course Schedule
    • Dates and Deadlines
North Dakota State University - Libraries
Circulation: (701) 231-8888 | Reference: (701) 231-8886
Administration: (701) 231-8753
Main Library address: 1201 Albrecht Boulevard
Mailing address: Dept #2080 PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Site manager: Site manager
Contact Us |