A friend versus a group of friends effect on physical activity behavior in 6-10 year old children
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| Language: | English |
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Kent State University / OhioLINK
2012
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1342025537 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-kent13420255372021-08-03T05:38:02Z A friend versus a group of friends effect on physical activity behavior in 6-10 year old children Sanders, Gabriel J. Behavioral Sciences Health Sciences physical activity friends peers peer influence children Children today are not participating in adequate amounts of physical activity. While research has identified several positive factors that contribute to increases in physical activity, only a few experimental studies have been conducted and only assessed the effect of a single peer or friend. Children are often physically active with more than one peer or friend and it is possible the presence of more than a single friend can further increase physical activity behavior in children. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to assess the amount, intensity and motivation of children's physical activity in a controlled setting under three separate social conditions; alone, with a single friend and with a group (four) of friends. Children (n= 12 boys, n= 12 girls) between the ages of 6-10 years old participated in each social condition for 30 minutes in which they could choose from a variety of physical and/or sedentary activities. Children's physical activity was measure via accelerometry while the amount of time each child allocated to sedentary activities was recorded using a stop watch. Upon completion of each 30-minute session children were given the option to participate in a 10-minute bonus period. During a 40-minute activity session, children's accelerometer counts were significantly greater (p < .05) during the friend (136,983 ± 8,636) and group (131,356 ± 6,493) conditions, relative to the alone (99,835 ± 9,225) condition. Girls allocated significantly (p < .03) more time to sedentary activities when alone (12.7 ± 3.9) compared to the friend (3.6 ± 1.5) and group (3.9 ± 0.8) conditions. Boys, relative to girls, allocated less (p < .006) time to sedentary activities when alone (0.6 ± 0.6) and did not significantly (p ≥ .08) alter their time during the friend and group conditions. A significantly greater (p < .001) proportion of children chose to participate in the 10-minute bonus period during the friend (92%) and group (100%) conditions than the alone condition (33%). Playing with one or more friends, relative to playing alone, is more motivating and can increases physical activity and reduce the amount of time 6-10 year old children allocate to sedentary activities. 2012-08-09 English text Kent State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1342025537 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1342025537 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
| collection |
NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Behavioral Sciences Health Sciences physical activity friends peers peer influence children |
| spellingShingle |
Behavioral Sciences Health Sciences physical activity friends peers peer influence children Sanders, Gabriel J. A friend versus a group of friends effect on physical activity behavior in 6-10 year old children |
| author |
Sanders, Gabriel J. |
| author_facet |
Sanders, Gabriel J. |
| author_sort |
Sanders, Gabriel J. |
| title |
A friend versus a group of friends effect on physical activity behavior in 6-10 year old children |
| title_short |
A friend versus a group of friends effect on physical activity behavior in 6-10 year old children |
| title_full |
A friend versus a group of friends effect on physical activity behavior in 6-10 year old children |
| title_fullStr |
A friend versus a group of friends effect on physical activity behavior in 6-10 year old children |
| title_full_unstemmed |
A friend versus a group of friends effect on physical activity behavior in 6-10 year old children |
| title_sort |
friend versus a group of friends effect on physical activity behavior in 6-10 year old children |
| publisher |
Kent State University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2012 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1342025537 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT sandersgabrielj afriendversusagroupoffriendseffectonphysicalactivitybehaviorin610yearoldchildren AT sandersgabrielj friendversusagroupoffriendseffectonphysicalactivitybehaviorin610yearoldchildren |
| _version_ |
1719422802752176128 |