28th Annual Student Research Conference
Effect of Walking School Bus Program on Morning and Daily Step Counts in Children
Kristin M. Grimsley
Dr. Brian Snyder, Faculty Mentor
PURPOSE: Examine morning and overall daily steps taken by participating and non-participating children in a Walking School Bus (WSB) program prior to and during the program. METHODS: A pre/post-test design was used with control(CON) and experimental(BUS) groups. Thirteen children, ages 6-10, wore accelerometers for approximately one week prior to and during the program to collect daily step counts. RESULTS: Steps taken during 7-8 am were 771 +/- 343 (CON) and 628 +/- 172 (BUS) prior to and 727 +/- 192 (CON) and 1,481 +/- 719 (BUS) during the WSB. Daily steps taken were 10,248 +/- 1,921 (CON) and 10,089 +/- 2,595(BUS) prior to and 9,457 +/- 2,573 (CON) and 10,460 +/- 2,465 (BUS) during the WSB. There is a significant difference in post-test values between groups during 7-8 am (p<0.05). An analysis of covariance shows no significant difference between groups for overall daily steps taken. CONCLUSION: More data is needed to address the question of total steps and daily physical activity.
Keywords: Walking School Bus, Physical Activity, Children
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Health Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 6-3
Location: GEO-SUB
Time: 3:30