Academic progress is a cumulative process marked by both continuity and change over
time. This is a critical importance of not only language and mathematical competency for academic success, but also the centrality of wider skills that enable students to regulate their own learning behaviors. But, researchers have discovered that an age regarding decline in children’s activity as they progress through primary school.
The previous study suggested low levels of physical activity in childhood triggers children into adulthood. So, parents should be more concerned for their children to keep them active.
This study at the University of Bristol suggested, from Year 1 (age 5-6) to Year 4 (age 8-9), children spent less time doing physical activity and spent more time. And when they got to Year 4, almost one- third of the boys and two-thirds of girls aged eight to nine years old.
In this study, researchers tracked the physical activity levels of 1,300 children. For tracking, scientists used a device called accelerometer for precise measurement of movement. Three years later, scientists tracked the same children and compared the results.
Scientists found moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity level reduced by 4% in boys whereas 11% in girls. But, the sedentary time increased by 20% in boys and 23%  in girls. After further observation, scientists found that 62.3% of boys and 35% of girls met the CMO’s recommendation of an hour per day in Year 4.
Professor Russ Jago, who led the study, said: “The results show a clear need to find ways to help children to be active throughout the primary school years. We need to get children active and then keep them active as they move through primary school.”
“To help us to do this we need to find the activities that children enjoy and foster as many opportunities within and outside of school to take part in activity across the day.”
