Children in schoolyards: Tracking movement patterns and physical activity in schoolyards using global positioning system and heart rate monitoring

The aim of this study was to investigate how 6-year-old school children used their schoolyard during recess and how the yard invited physical activity. Correlates for physical activity were in focus for the investigation. Two different schoolyards, one in the city and one rural, in Southern Norway were chosen for the study. The schoolyards were mapped and the affordances for physical activity described and presented in an ortophoto. The children's movement patterns were recorded with portable global positioning system (GPS) and the level of physical activity monitored by heart rate (HR) applying a Polar pulse watch. GPS and heart rate data were transferred to geographical information systems for further analyses and visualisation. The results indicated physical activity (mean heart rate) to be similar for the children in the two schoolyards. Asphalt areas invited running and soccer play and favoured more physical activity in boys than in girls. The rural schoolyard afforded playing in a little forest, which was more attractive to girls than boys. In both schoolyards the children were physically active in free play at moderate to vigorous levels half the time of a recess period of 40 min. The methods of GPS tracking and HR monitoring seemed to be applicable for this purpose. For further studies with young children the equipment needs adjustments. Experiences from this study recommend more attractive landscapes and facilities that afford increased physical activity in schoolyards.