Abstract :
Outdoor games and playful workout routines can be the tools that instill not only lasting joy of exercise but also wellbeing of the children. The present research aims to investigate the relationship between outdoor games and lung function of school going children. A cross sectional school based study was carried out among 1926 school going children (10-14years) including both girls and boys from each of the 4 regions of the Union Territory of Puducherry by stratified random sampling method. Through interview schedule information regarding socio-demographic background, health status and lifestyle pattern were elicited. Nutritional status was determined using anthropometric measurements (height, weight and chest circumference) and body mass index. Peak flow meter and pulse oximeter were used to analyze the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), oxygen saturation and pulse rate. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. Outdoor games had a significant correlation with BMI (p=0.010) and PEFR value (0.000). The mean difference in PEFR value between those engaged in outdoor games for
Keyword :
Lung function, school going children, anthropometric measurements, outdoor games