The prevalence of upright non-stepping time in comparison to stepping time in 11–13 year old school children across seasons

McCrorie, PRW; Duncan, E; Granat, MH; Stansfield, BW

Abstract

Evidence suggests that behaviours such as standing are beneficial for our health.
Unfortunately, little is known of the prevalence of this state, its importance in
relation to time spent stepping or variation across seasons. The aim of this study
was to quantify, in young adolescents, the prevalence and seasonal changes in
time spent upright and not stepping (UNSttime) as well as time spent upright and
stepping (USttime), and their contribution to overall upright time (Utime). Thirtythree adolescents (12.2 ± 0.3 y) wore theactivPAL activity monitor during four
school days on two occasions: November/December (winter) and May/June
(summer). UNSttime contributed 60% of daily Utime at winter (Mean=196 min)
and 53% at summer (Mean = 171 min); a significant seasonal effect, p <
0.001. USttimewas significantly greater in summer compared to winter (153 min
versus 131 min, p<0.001). The effects in UNSttime could be explained through
significant seasonal differences during the school hours (09:00–16:00), whereas
the effects in USttime could be explained through significant seasonal differences
in the evening period (16:00–22:00). Adolescents spent a greater amount of
time upright and not stepping than they did stepping, in both winter and summer.
The observed seasonal effects for both UNSttime and USttime provide important
information for behaviour change intervention programs.

Citation

McCrorie, P., Duncan, E., Granat, M., & Stansfield, B. (2012). The prevalence of upright non-stepping time in comparison to stepping time in 11–13 year old school children across seasons. Physiological Measurement, 33(11), 1901-1912. https://doi.org/10.1088/0967-3334/33/11/1901

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Sep 12, 2014
• Journal: Physiological Measurement
• Print ISSN: 0967-3334
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 33
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 1901-1912
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/0967-3334/33/11/1901
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0967-3334/33/11/1901