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The quality of the preschool environment may affect preschooler's levels of physical activity and sedentary time. In this paper, we aimed to assess the quality of the preschool movement environment and associations between the movement environment and children's physical activity and sedentary time in Norwegian preschools. A sample of 71 departments within 46 preschools provided data on the Movement Environment Rating Scale (MOVERS). 794 children aged 3--5 years provided accelerometer data (ActiGraph GT3X+). Associations were examined using multivariate pattern analysis. Our results indicate that the movement environment is of minimal quality in Norwegian preschools. We found positive associations for light and moderate intensity physical activity and negative associations for sedentary time with the overall MOVERS score, as well as for several items and sub-scales. Our findings suggest that higher quality of the preschool movement environment is associated with more movement and less sedentary time. more...

We aimed to investigate the effects of preschool staff physical activity (PA) professional development on self-regulation, executive function and early academic learning in 3–5-year-old children. A total of 1265 children from 46 preschools in Norway were randomized to a 7-month intervention or control. Main analyses included 816 3–4-year-olds who provided data at baseline, 7- and 18-month follow-ups. We measured children’s self-regulation (Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task), inhibition, cognitive flexibility, working memory, early expressive vocabulary, early mathematical skills (Early Years Toolbox) and physical activity (accelerometry). Linear mixed models were used to analyze the data. Results showed no effect of the intervention on cognitive or learning outcomes in the primary analyses. We found small positive effects on sedentary time (standardized effect size (ES)=-0.17, p = 0.014) and moderate to vigorous-intensity PA (ES = 0.15, p = 0.048) at 7 months, and a negative effect on low-intensity PA at 18 months (EF = −0.15, p = 0.021). Boys had a small positive effect on vocabulary at 7 months (ES = 0.23, p = 0.006), and girls a small negative effect at 18 months (ES = −0.23, p = 0.004). This cluster RCT in preschoolers supports the notion that pragmatic trials within educational settings have difficulties in providing changes to the PA practice and to impact young children’s cognitive development and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a seven-month curriculum prescribed physical activity (PA) intervention (the Active Smarter Kids [ASK] intervention) on executive functions in 10-year-old Norwegian children. A linear mixed model was used to analyze data from 971-1,123 fifth grade children at 28 intervention schools and 29 control schools. The intervention constituted three PA elements: PA educational lessons, PA breaks, and PA homework, adding 165 minutes of PA to the mandatory 135 minutes of PA and physical education. There was no effect of the intervention on executive functions in the intention-to-treat analyses. Per protocol analyses (n = 776-850) revealed small effects of the intervention on the composite score of executive functions, cognitive flexibility, and motor skills. Cognitively engaging and coordinative demanding activities/games seem viable options to increase executive functions and possibly improve academic performance in children. more...

Background: Limited evidence exists regarding prospective associations for physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (SED) with body mass index (BMI) and muscle strength in young children. We aimed to determine prospective associations for PA and SED with change in BMI and standing long jump over 2 and 4 years in children aged 3–5 years at baseline. Methods: A sample of 262 Norwegian children (50% girls) was followed from 2015 to 2017 and/or 2019. PA and SED (hip-worn ActiGraph GT3X+) were measured at baseline and BMI and standing long jump at baseline and at follow-ups. Multivariate pattern analysis was used to determine prospective associations between the triaxial PA intensity spectrum (0–99 to ≥15,000 counts per minute) and the change in outcomes. Results: We found significant prospective associations between the PA intensity spectrum and standing long jump at 2- (explained variance = 5.8%–7.7%) and 4-year (explained variance = 4.8%–5.6%) follow-ups. Associations were negative for SED and positive for all PA intensities. We found no associations between PA/SED and BMI. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PA and SED can predict future lower body muscle strength but not BMI in early childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Ever-changing weather and sea conditions constitute environmental hazards that sea kayakers must pay attention to and act upon to stay safe. The aim of this study was to propose a tool to aid sea kayakers' situation awareness (SA). We developed a checklist guided by theory on the concept of SA and expert problem detection, judgement and decision-making, along with knowledge concerning previous incidents and important risk factors in sea kayaking. The checklist consists of two parts: a guide to how paddlers can improve their SA and decision-making skills, and an overview of what critical factors should be evaluated before and during a sea kayak trip. We argue that the checklist may improve risk assessment and management among sea kayakers, help to prevent distress and future incidents, and ultimately potentially save lives. Finally, we wish to stimulate debate concerning risk management in sea kayaking and outdoor education. more...

The aims of this study were to analyse recreational sea kayaking and touring incidents in Norway with a specific focus on wind conditions and to elaborate on practical implications for the prevention of future incidents. We included 49 incidents reported by the media between 2000 and 2014. Incidents occurred in various wind conditions, but most incidents (60%) occurred in moderate to strong breezes (9-14 m/s). Wind strength and direction were generally forecast accurately and conditions were mainly stable throughout the day of the incident. Thus, sea kayaking and touring incidents in Norway seem to happen in various wind conditions; however, paddlers should have been well informed and aware of the hazards they were facing. Future incidents could be prevented by increasing sea kayakers' situation awareness through discussion of experts' decision-making processes and the arrangement of situated learning experiences in realistic settings. more...

It is difficult to rely on snow conditions, weather, and human factors when making judgments about avalanche risk because these variables are dynamic and complex; terrain, however, is more easily observed and interpreted. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate (1) the type of terrain in which historical fatal snow avalanche accidents in Norway have occurred, using the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) and (2) how many accidents could have been prevented if the recreationists had followed the actions suggested by the Avaluator Trip Planner (ATP). The ATES classifies terrain as simple (Class 1), challenging (Class 2), and complex (Class 3), whereas the ATP uses these classifications in relation to the danger rating to suggest normal caution, extra caution, and areas in which people are not recommended to travel. We investigated 30 fatal slab avalanche accidents in Norway over a 10-year period (2005-2014) involving 42 deaths. According to the ATES, 77% of the accidents occurred in complex terrain and 23% occurred in challenging terrain. According to the ATP, 97% of the accidents could have been prevented if the recreationists had followed the recommended actions (not going under conditions requiring extra caution or when travel is not recommended). Our results indicate that the ATES and ATP are practical tools that help recreationists with trip planning in the type of terrain that suits their level of experience and knowledge. These tools can be valuable to novices by helping them to acquire experience in recognizing relevant terrain features that might compromise their safety and interfere with their plans. We conclude that most avalanche accidents occurred in complex terrain and that most of the accidents could have been prevented by using the ATP. Thus, for novices and advanced beginners, learning to use the ATES and ATP provides a sound basis for safe travel and gaining experience in avalanche terrain. more...