Everybody active every day

A rapid review of the impact of quarantine on children’s play

A movement for movement

Temporary street closures for play make sense for public health

Economic impact of increasing children’s physical activity

Publications Category: Health

 

Two years on: An update on the national physical activity framework

Public Health England, February 2017

This report suffers from a lack of focus on children (!) but finds that there are small steps in progress to the nation becoming more active. Between 2013 and 2015 there has been a statistically significant one percent increase in the proportion of the population across local areas achieving the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.  This represents over half a million more people whose health and wellbeing is benefiting from being active every day.  See the full report here

Adventure play
Young people's capital of the world?
Adventure playgrounds are highlighted as one of the top 'needs' for young people in this London-focused research.
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A rapid literature review of the impact of quarantine and restrictive environments on children’s play and health outcomes

June 2020: PEDAL

In the wake of the current COVID-19 health crisis, there is uncertainty and concern about the impact this pandemic will have on children’s health and educational outcomes. Due to severe lockdown regulations around the world, typical play experiences have needed to adapt to school and playground closures, changes to peer interactions, and social distancing. This report also looks at whether play may mitigate the adverse effects of such restrictions; given that it is such a fundamental part of childhood and can be integral to children’s health in moments of crisis.

Full report here

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A report by Dr Aric Sigman

January 2019: Association of Play Industries

This report addresses in particular the relationship between an increasingly screen-based, sedentary lifestyle and declining outdoor physical activity, and the implications for children’s physical and mental health. Although this is a complex relationship involving other lifestyle factors such as diet, it is an important yet under-recognised relationship of growing concern to child health professionals. Read the full report here

Play
A residents' guide to play streets
Do you want your street to be friendlier and safer; more sociable, happier, healthier? Find out how with our easy to read guide to play streets.
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An evaluation of the national DoH -funded Street Play Project

31 July 2017: Play England

This report is an evaluation of the Street Play Project delivered by London Play, Playing Out and Play England, and includes persuasive arguments for the public health benefits of play streets. Among the findings are that children’s time spent outdoors and active during street closures is more likely to replace sedentary behaviours indoors rather than active behaviours indoors or outdoors after school.

Download the report here

Built environment
Nowhere to play
A Freedom of Information request by the Association of Play Industries has revealed that local authorities across England are closing children’s playgrounds.
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Making the economic case for more play

May 2017:  Health Affairs

Increasing physical activity among children is a potentially important public health intervention. Quantifying the economic and health effects of the intervention would help decision makers understand its impact and priority. This report suggests that if 50 percent of children in the US exercised for 25 mins daily, $8.1 billion in direct medical costs and $13.8 billion in lost productivity could be averted.

Access the full report here (paywall)

Children and young people
Temporary street closures for play make sense for public health
This evaluation of the Street Play Project delivered by London Play, Playing Out and Play England includes persuasive arguments for the public health benefits of play streets.
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