Physical activity of children transitioning from kindegarten to primary school: A pilot study

Abstract

This research focuses on the decrease in PA as children transition from kindergarten to primary school, underscoring the importance of supportive school environments and parental influence in maintaining PA. The study observed 43 children initially in preschool and later in school settings, measuring their physical activity (PA) during school days using digital pedometers and two self-constructed questionnaires. The pilot study used variance inflation factor analysis, principal component analysis, multiple linear regression, Spearman’s correlation coefficient and Wilcoxon signed-rank test to identify differences and key predictors. The study indicates a 22.7% decrease in children’s PA upon transitioning from kindergarten to primary school, highlighting the significant impact of school environments. Family lifestyle’s impact on school-day step count was not proven. Based on the study school environments and structured activities crucially impact children’s PA, leading to a significant decrease during the transition from kindergarten to primary school. There is an urgent need to take all possible actions, initiatives and policies to promote pupils’ school-day PA.