Time outdoors promotes physical activity in youth

Posted: July 16, 2014 2:45 p.m.

Dr. Lee Schaefer of the Faculty of Education is part of the research team that found that being outdoors increases fitness levels of young people.
Dr. Lee Schaefer of the Faculty of Education is part of the research team that found that being outdoors increases fitness levels of young people. Photo courtesy of External Relations

A team of prairie researchers have made an interesting discovery from their study of the activity and fitness levels of more than 300 children between the ages of 9 and 17 years of age. 

The team: Dr. Lee Schaefer of the University of Regina, Dr. Jon McGavok Associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Manitoba and research colleagues from the University of Alberta, recently had the results published in the Journal of Pediatrics at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Research has shown that only 34 per cent of youth achieve the 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) each day, as recommended by the World Health Organization.

While students get some physical activity during school hours, Schaefer et al.’s research shows that increased time outside for children is essential for students to meet recommended physical activity guidelines.

 “Having our work published in a high-profile journal that often supports pertinent medical research affirms that our work around the outdoors and its impact on physical activity levels is important. The fact that this is an international journal also reflects that the research we are working on is transcendental and can be picked up broadly,” says Dr. Schaefer, an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina.

One of the ways that children often get more exercise is by spending more time outdoors after classes end. While there are many variables, including weather and types of activities, generally speaking when children are outdoors, they are more likely to participate in MVPA

The research found that 17 per cent of students surveyed did not spend time outdoors after school. These students had 21 fewer minutes per day of MVPA.. They also spent an additional 70 minutes per day of sedentary behaviour, compared to those who spent most of their time outdoors after school.

Young people who reported spending most of their time outdoors after school were three times more likely to meet guidelines for daily physical activity, and had significantly higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels than those who did not spend time outdoors.

“The support of the University of Regina and specifically the Faculty of Education has allowed me the time and resources to engage in research that is both important to me and the broader research community. Being published in the Journal of Pediatrics portrays that the supports being provided for scholars at the University of Regina are helping them to engage in research programs that are internationally recognized,” Dr. Schaefer adds.