More Children More Active: Tailored Playgrounds Positively Affect Physical Activity Levels Amongst Youth

Objectives: Overall physical activity (PA) of children is low, and the physical inactivity problem is highest in deprived neighborhoods. The overall goal of the Richard Krajicek Foundation is to provide children in deprived neighborhoods with safe public playgrounds that stimulate daily PA. This study investigates whether Krajicek playgrounds are associated with higher usage and intensity of PA compared to control playgrounds during playground use amongst children.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Methods: Ten Krajicek and ten control playgrounds in The Netherlands were matched for neighborhood and playground characteristics. Usage and intensity of PA at the playgrounds were measured using direct observation (SOPLAY). Trained observers collected PA data after-school time on weekdays and weekend days. Multilevel regression analyses were performed to analyze the difference in usage and intensity of PA between control and Krajicek playgrounds.

Results: Krajicek playgrounds were significantly less often empty compared to control playgrounds (12% vs. 29%). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in the number of boys observed on the Krajicek playgrounds (14 vs. 9, OR 1.8). Across all categories differences in playground PA were found with an average of 13% of the children on Krajicek playgrounds engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared to 10% on control playgrounds. Energy-expenditure (EE) per child was higher on Krajicek playgrounds across all groups (B.006).

Conclusions: Krajicek playgrounds are positively associated with higher usage and PA intensity compared to control playgrounds. Our results indicate that Krajicek playgrounds can benefit PA of children living in deprived neighborhoods during playground play.