A functional analysis of physical activity in preschool children

The purpose of the current study was to develop and test an experimental methodology for assessing the effect of outdoor activity context on level of physical activity in preschool children in solitary and group settings. Several activity contexts and a control condition were manipulated according to a multi-element design. The fixed-playground equipment condition produced the most moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for most participants in both solitary and group settings. In addition, participants engaged in higher level of moderate-vigorous physical activity across experimental conditions when at least one peer was present