Physical Activities and sedentary time of Students Outdoor Education and Conventional Education in Primary Schools

Abstract

This research set out to evaluate physical activity and sedentary time between outdoor education and conventional education settings. The research methodology employed a mixed method technique. The research methodology employed a mixed method technique. The research sample consisted of twenty-one students in fourth and fifth grades at an elementary school in Sudamanik 01, Cimarga District, Lebak Regency, Banten Province, Indonesia. The demographics of the participants in grades four and five were similar in terms of height (144.31 ± 2.01) centimeters and body weight (37.02 ± 1.26) kilograms. The level of physical activity and sedentary time were assessed through the utilization of an accelerometer. For twenty-one students, physical activity and sedentary time were compared in participating school during six days of outdoor education and five days of conventional education. The group in outdoor education exhibited a higher level of physical activity compared to conventional education, as evidenced by the results of statistical tests with a p - value < 0.001; conversely, outdoor education results in less sedentary time than traditional education (p < 0.001). The primary conclussions of research revealed that switching from conventional education to outdoor education environment reduced the sedentary time and increased light to moderate the level of physical activity during school hours. There are differences in leisure time physical activity on days at school with or without outdoor education. Henceforth, it can be concluded that outdoor education successfully prompted students to engage in physical activity.