The role of weather conditions on time spent outdoors and in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among Norwegian preschoolers

The study investigates how weather and ground/surface conditions affect the amount of time Norwegian kindergarten children spend outdoors, as well as their levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The study aims to identify which weather conditions promote or inhibit children’s physical activity in kindergartens.

The study shows that weather conditions affect both outdoor playtime and physical activity in Norwegian kindergartens. Rain, wind and wet or icy conditions reduced activity levels, while snow and dry conditions increased MVPA. Although weather conditions affected outdoor playtime, the overall differences in MVPA were small. This indicates that Norwegian kindergartens facilitate physical activity regardless of the weather conditions, either inside or outside.

The study used a quantitative approach in which 1201 Norwegian kindergarten children were equipped with accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X +) to measure moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) over 10 consecutive weekdays. Kindergarten staff logged the time spent outside, and weather data was collected from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute to analyse the correlation between weather conditions and physical activity. The data were analysed using linear mixed models to identify associations between weather conditions, ground/surface conditions, and MVPA.

Ylvisåker, E., Nilsen, A. K. O., Johannessen, K., & Aadland, E. (2022). The role of weather conditions on time spent outdoors and in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among Norwegian preschoolers. Journal of sports sciences, 40(1), 73–80.

Online year: 2021

Issue year: 2022

Review year: 2022