Do British Secondary School Children Meet Current Physical Activity Guidelines - Literature review Example

At the same time, the research shows that the levels of physical activity among the British school children are low and children between 11-16 often do not meet the UK physical activity guidelines (2011) (University of Leicester, 2007: [online], Department of Health, 2011: 14). Today there is a paucity of scholarly research into the issue of UK school children meeting the current (2011) UK guidelines for physical activity (Department of Health, 2011: [online]) First of all, the research literature overview helps to identify a universally acceptable definition of ‘physical activity’.

Specifically, under the term ‘physical activity’ one understands “bodily movement that is produced by the contraction of skeletal muscle and that substantially increases energy expenditure” (ACSM, 2000: 4; Shumaker, 2008: 236). People expend the greatest deal of energy through the activity of their muscles while following their daily pursuits, which are transportation, home care, occupation and recreation (Braithwaite et al, 2009). The working definition in the UK 2011 Guidelines for Physical Activity is “physical activity includes all forms of activity, such as everyday walking or cycling to get from A to B, active play, work-related activity, active recreation (such as working out in a gym), dancing, gardening or playing active games, as well as organised and competitive sport.

” (Department of Health, 2011, p. 9) (See Picture 1) Picture 1 “What is Physical Activity?” (Department of Health, 2011, p.9) The research into theoretical and practical aspects of physical activity categorizes it by intensity, focusing on moderate physical activity and vigorous physical activity (Braithwaite et al, 2009). Vigorous physical activity is considered to be “a movement that expends more physical activity or is performed at a higher intensity than brisk walking” or “an equivalent to slow jogging” (NASPE, 2005: 64; Kirk et al, 2006: 171).

Moderate physical activity is defined as "an activity of an intensity equal to brisk walking . . . and can be performed for relatively long periods of time without fatigue" (NASPE 2005: 64). Researchers identify a range of physiological as well as psychological problems in school children’s health that stem from lack of physical activity during the day. To specify, premature coronary heart disease, diabetes, and premature cardiovascular disease are likely to develop more frequently in individuals who lacked physical activity in their childhood and adolescence.

At the same time, the most widespread problem related to physical inactivity is childhood obesity. As Phyllis and Parker (371) indicate children, especially in urban areas lack physical activity since they rarely play outdoors either because of fear for their safety or because of lack of recreational facilities, while their apartments are too small for being physically active at home. This leads to their spending most time watching TV or playing computer games. According to Professor Hernandez, obesity increases the chances of developing a depression by 25 per cent (IANS 12 May 2011 [online]).

The data provided by Commonwealth Secretariat (2011: 91) also indicate that obesity and weight-related diseases are rooted in physical inactivity of school children along with the problems of food quality. Delvin (2010, [online]) lists the following health