Physical activity levels during physical education in Spanish children

Introduction: Physical education (PE) can contribute to total daily physical activity (PA) among children. In consequence, the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport has developed 16 teaching units focused on increasing PA levels during PE lessons, called Unidades Didácticas Activas (UDA; Active Teaching Units). Objectives: The goal this study was compare whether children participating in UDA lessons spent more time moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) than traditional lessons. Design: Quasi-experimental design. Methods: A 355 (8–9 years old, 53.9% boys) from 7 schools Granada participated study. Students were divided into two groups: a group ( n = 204) 151). Time MVPA assessed using tri-axial accelerometers. Results: higher engaged compared that received (13.6 vs 15.2 minutes, p .021, Standard Error 0.27). percentage who met international recommendations similar for both groups (UDAs: 12.7% traditional: 13.2%, .504). Conclusions: their methodology favoured greater participation approach. It will be important change (including duration, frequency focus) achieve goals.