Structured opportunities for student physical activity in Ontario elementary and secondary schools

This paper examines structured opportunities for student physical activity in Ontario elementary and secondary schools. Random samples of elementary a nd secondary schools were selected, telephone surveys of 353 elementary and secondary school personnel were conducted 1998. The findings indicate that elementary offered physical education, on average, under three days per we ek The duration of physical education class and, in some cases, me duration of vigorous physical activity in class Id the weekly amount of vigorous ac tivity in were significantly higher at successive grade levels. The physica l education enrollment in secondary schools was significantly lower at succ essive grade levels. Student participation ih secondary school intramurals and interschool sports was 22.8% and 28.7% respectively. These findings sug gest increasing the weekly frequency of physical education in elementary an d increasing participation in physical education classes in secondary schoo ls. Also, ural opportunities and participation be promoted.