Playgrounds Without Borders: Methods For A Playground Environmental Intervention Among U.S. Schoolchildren

Background: Playground environmental interventions that increase children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) have not been adequately tested among low-income and minority children. Schools are key venues for environmental interventions because they reach children from all socioeconomic groups. Some issues remain unclear: whether these interventions benefit low-income and minority U.S. children; whether increases in MVPA at school are matched by increases outside school; whether benefits last beyond the immediate post-intervention period; and how children’s school and neighborhood environments affect their response to the intervention.Methods: Evaluation/study design: quasi-experimental intervention study, using both longitudinal and cross-sectional measurements during seven-day measurement sessions preintervention, immediately after intervention inception and every six months thereafter.Intervention: Walking/nature trails enhanced with fixed play equipment designed to stimulate activity directly on playgrounds and indirectly in local parks, trails and neighborhoods. Two schools will receive intervention early (Fall 2011) and two late (Spring 2012).Setting and population: 283 fourth-grade children and their parents (>50% of whom will be from low-income families) from four under-resourced elementary schools in a mid-western, mid-sized city. Measures: Preand post-intervention: MVPA measured using geographically-linked accelerometers (indicating location and intensity of MVPA) and cross-sectionally using SOPARC methods to quantify the proportion of 4th graders playing actively on school playgrounds; qualitative interviews with children (cognitive mapping, photo-elicitation) ; questionnaires including secondary aim outcomes, family socioeconomic data and parent perceptions regarding neighborhood environments; children’s height and weight Post-intervention only: focus group discussions with children and parents