Research article summary (published 9 Aug 2007):

The effects of gender, motor skills and play area on the free play activities of 8-11 year old school children.

Full Abstract

Two studies were conducted to examine the interactions between gender, play area, motor skills and free play activity in 8-11 year old school children. In both studies, boys were more active than girls. In boys, but not in girls, energy expenditure was greater for high-skill than for low-skill children (p = 0.0002), and increased as play area increased (p = 0.01). These results suggest that motor skills and play space are important variables in determining the free play activity of boys, but not of girls. This may be related to widely different play styles among boys and girls.

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Author information

Author/s: Harten, Nathan (N); Olds, Tim (T); Dollman, Jim (J);

Affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Room C7-41, City East Campus, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Health & place (Health Place), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Sep; vol 14 (issue 3) : pp 386-93

Dates: Created 2008/04/03; Completed 2008/06/25;

PMID: 17855151, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Analysis of Variance Body Mass Index Child Cross-Sectional Studies Energy Metabolism Exercise Female

Humans Male Motor Skills - classification Play and Playthings Sex Factors South Australia Urban Population

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