Teaching outdoor and adventure activities: an investigation of a primary school physical education professional development p

Results 
Descriptive Characteristics of Participants 
In total of 605 children participated in the study (age range 5-14 years, mean age 8.81 
years, ±2.2, 44% female). Those children (n=58) not included in the study were absent 
from school or class during questionnaire administration; no statistical differences in age 
or gender with the main sample were noted (age range 6-13 years, mean age 9.05, ± 
2.08, 44% female).
Behavioural determinants 
Free Play Physical Activity: Break and Lunch-Time: 
Participation in sedentary, 
moderate or vigorous activity by gender for break-time and lunch-time is shown in 
Table 4.4.
Table 4.4 Break-time and lunch-time physical activity levels 
 
Break-time
 
 
Lunch-time
 
 
Boy
 
Girl
 
Total
 
 
Boy
 
Girl
 
Total
 
 
 
% (n)
 
% (n)
 
% (n)
 
 
 
% (n)
 
% (n)
 
% (n)
 
S
 
11.5 (39)
29.2 (77)
19.3 (116)
8.9 (30)
16.6 (43)
12.2 (73)
MPA
 
15.7 (53)
34.1 (90)
23.8 (143)
11.6 (39)
39.8 (103)
23.8 (142)
VPA
 
72.8 (246)
36.7 (97)
57 (343)
79.5 (268)
43.6 (113)
63.9 (381)
Total
 
100 (338)
100 (264)
100 (602)
100 (337)
100 (259)
100 (596)
S- Sedentary, MPA – Moderate physical activity, VPA – vigorous physical activity
Although there is no significant difference for gender it can be seen that more boys 
(72.8% at break-time and 79.5% at lunch-time) than girls (36.7% at break-time and 
43.6% at lunch-time) reported participation in vigorous physical activity, whilst girls 
were more likely to choose sedentary activities. Girls were significantly more likely to 
report participating in vigorous activities at lunch-time (43.6% vigorous versus 16.6% 

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sedentary) (χ
2
(2) = 85.47, p< 0.001) as opposed to break-time (36.7% vigorous versus 
29.2% sedentary) (χ
2
(2) = 78.84, p< 0.001). Boys were equally likely to be vigorously 
active at break and lunch time.