Construct variable for analyses | Survey items included in cluster variable | Item scoring and range for construct variable |
---|---|---|
Physical environment characteristics | ||
Indoor physical activity space | Indoor physical activity area available at any time during sessions; indoor physical activity area available before/after sessions; staff member available to supervise indoor physical activity before/after sessions; indoor play space available when weather is not suitable to go outdoors | Items scored yes/no (available during session, before/after session, staff supervision) or 4-point Likert scale (unsuitable weather); range 0–7 |
Availability of natural resources | Trees, shrubs in outdoor area; natural hills or inclines; logs or sleepers for balancing on; coverage of trees/natural shrubbery in play areas | Presence of features (trees, hills, logs) scored yes/no; coverage scored on 3-point Likert scale; total range 0–6 |
Use of constructed resources | Number of shaded/covered areas; artificial lighting in shaded/covered areas; fenced areas for kicking/striking | Lighting, fenced areas scored yes/no; number of shaded areas: continuous number |
Indoor activity spaces | Number of indoor physical activity areas; number of rooms with physical activity equipment | Sum of continuous responses |
Ovals/grassed spaces | Number of outdoor ovals or grassed spaces available | Total number |
Outdoor activity areas | Number of outdoor play areas with equipment; number of outdoor play areas without equipment | Sum of continuous responses |
Indoor physical activity space | Total indoor physical activity space | Areas measured; total space determined (m2) |
Outdoor physical activity space | Total outdoor physical activity space | Areas measured; total space determined (m2) |
Total physical activity space | Total indoor physical activity space; Total outdoor physical activity space | Sum of above variables (m2) |
Fixed equipment | Number of pieces of fixed equipment | Total number of pieces |
Permanent features | Number of permanent features (e.g. wall/ground markings) | Total number of features |
Portable equipment | Number of pieces of portable equipment (e.g. climbing frames, balls) | Total number of pieces |
Sports equipment | Children permitted to bring their own equipment (e.g. balls); sports equipment available before/after sessions | Items scored yes/no; total range 0–2 |
Natural ground coverings | Number of outdoor play spaces with natural ground coverings (e.g. grass) | Total number |
Synthetic ground coverings | Number of outdoor play spaces with synthetic ground coverings (e.g. concrete) | Total number |
Policy characteristics | ||
Funding | Funding for physical activity from organisation; budget specifically allocated to support physical activity | Items coded yes/no; total score 0–2 |
Restrictions to physical activity | Restrictions for misbehaviour; frequency of children being seated for ≥30 mins at a time; limits on number/quantity of sport equipment used at one time | Items scored on 4-point Likert scale (misbehaviour, seated) or yes/no (limits on sport equipment); range 0–9 |
Electronic media use | Frequency of watching TV/videos/DVDs; frequency of playing e-games; frequency of computer use | Each item scored on 5-point Likert scale; range 0–15 |
Staff physical activity training | Staff participate in physical activity training opportunities | Likert scale; range 0–4 |
Outdoor safety | Quality/safety of fixed equipment; quality/safety of ground coverings; frequency of safety checks on equipment | Each item scored on 3- or 4-point Likert scale; total range 0–13 |
Environmental restrictions to physical activity | Children allowed to play in/on trees; fences/barriers restricting access to play equipment; designated areas of yard for different groups of children; designated time during which different groups can use the yard or areas of the yard; presence of quiet outdoor play areas; requirement that all children be outdoors during outdoor activity sessions | Items scored yes/no; total range 0–6 |
Program characteristics | ||
Total physical activity delivered to children | Physical activity delivered by teacher/staff each week; physical activity delivered by someone other than teacher/staff each week | Total minutes/week |
Structured physical activity | Number of structured physical activity sessions; duration of structured physical activity sessions | Number of structured sessions Χ duration of each session; total minutes/week |
Free play | Amount of time in active outdoor free play time | Total minutes/week |
Number of other physical activity opportunities | Physical activity outside normal session time; number of annual physical activity events or fundraisers; outsourced physical activity sessions | Each item coded yes/no; range 0–3 |
Indoor duration before being allowed outdoors | Amount of time children had to be indoors before they could be outdoors | Total minutes |
Physical activity programs | Center is a member of a network or participates in programs designed to promote physical activity; center has an active transport policy; center links with local community groups (e.g. sporting clubs); center is a member of Kids Go for your Life program; other policy or program initiatives to support physical activity | Each item scored yes/no; total range 0–5 |
Parent physical activity support | Center promotes/encourages formal (providing instructions, etc.) and/or informal (providing support/encouragement to children, etc.) parent involvement/support of physical activity programs | Likert scale (0–2); total range 0–4 |
Physical activity support | Visible support for physical activity through posters, pictures, books, etc.; during active free play time staff join in | Each item scored on 4-point Likert scale; total range 0–8 |