The Feasibility & Impact of a Painted Designs Intervention on Children’s Physical Activity

This pilot mixed methods study examined the feasibility and impact of painted designs on elementary school playgrounds.

This research was funded by makeCalgary, the Faculty of Kinesiology, and the Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary

paint, foot

More information about this project

In this study we collaborated with an interdisciplinary research team to conduct a mixed-methods pilot study of the relationship between the playground built environment and physical activity of elementary school students. The study examined schools who received painted lines on their playgrounds as part of an event sponsored by the Faculty of Kinesiology called the “Gift of Play”, where 100 volunteers painted lines on playground tarmac surfaces at local elementary schools. The designs on the ground were meant to facilitate children’s games and structured and unstructured play.

Wong, J. B., Mccallum, K. S., Frehlich, L., Bridel, W., Mcdonough, M. H., Mccormack, G. R., Fox, K., Brunton, L., Yardley, L., Emery, C. A., & Hagel, B.. (2023). The feasibility and impact of a painted designs intervention on school children’s physical activity. Leisure/loisir47(2), 181–207. https://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2022.2085156