Reinforcing value of physical activity as a determinant of child activity level

This study examined whether the relative reinforcing value of physical acti vity (RRVPA) measured in the laboratory predicted physical activity measure d in the natural environment in 32 6-11-year-old children. RRVPA correlated with physical activity level (r = .42, p < .05), and contributed to the pr ediction of physical activity level along with child obesity. RRVPA was rel ated to the number of moderate to vigorous physical activity exercise bouts (r = .35, p < .05), not to the duration of those bouts. These results sugg est that RRVPA is a determinant of child physical activity level, and that it may be naturally more reinforcing for children to engage in multiple, sh ort exercise bouts than fewer, more extended bouts.