Project Director

Peyer, Karissa

Department Examiner

Hyden, Lindsay

Department

Dept. of Health and Human Performance

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

This study examines the role of an interactive children's museum in promoting physical activity among children aged 5-10, with a focus on the influence of various predictors, including sleep, family activity, typical physical activity levels, and participation in sports. Using a mixed-method design, participants were monitored with an Actigraph wGT3X accelerometer during a typical museum visit, and their parents completed a survey on factors influencing their child's activity. The study had 15 participants who were recruited by a member of the research team as they entered the museum. The results revealed that children whose parents were more active with them exhibited higher levels (14% of their visit spent in moderate or vigorous activity) of physical activity during the museum visit. Additionally, children who typically engaged in more than 60 minutes of physical activity per day showed greater physical activity (14% of time spent in moderate or vigorous activity) in the museum. Unexpectedly, factors like sleep, school type, and participation in sports did not significantly impact physical activity levels in this setting. This study underscores the potential of children’s museums as informal learning spaces that can enhance physical activity, highlighting the importance of family involvement and habitual physical activity. These findings can inform future interventions to promote healthier lifestyles for children.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Dr. Peyer for her persistence, guidance, and encouragement throughout this project, serving as my director. I would like to thank Professor Hyden for her input while serving on my thesis examination committee. I would like to thank the Honors College for allowing me the opportunity to bring this project to life and for their support throughout the entire process. Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends for their consistent love and patience while I dedicated the last several months to this project.

IRB Number

IRB: #24-141

Degree

B. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science.

Date

5-2025

Subject

Children's museums--Educational aspects; Exercise for children--Physiological aspects; Health promotion--United States; Physical fitness for children

Keyword

physical activity; children's activity; informal learning environments; accelerometry

Discipline

Health and Physical Education

Document Type

Theses

Extent

i, 29 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Download

Share

COinS