Association of after-school physical activity levels and organized physical activity participation in Hong Kong children

The aims of this study were to 1) describe the children’s physical activity (PA) patterns during the after-school period and 2) to compare the type and intensity of activity during the after-school period of children with or without participation in organized PA programmes. The participants were 456 children from four primary schools in Hong Kong. Self-administered questionnaires were used to measure the PA pattern and intensity level of the children during the after-school period. Independent t-test and factorial ANOVA was used for data analysis. Results indicated that children engaged substantial time in light intensity PA during the after-school period. Children who participated in organized PA programmes spent fewer time blocks on light intensity PA and more time blocks in vigorous PA. The boys spent more time blocks on high intensity PA than the girls. A structured PA programme during the after-school period is a potential intervention strategy to increase children’s PA participation without using up the time intended for children’s homework. Copyright © 2012 The Author(s).