Accelerometer-measured movement behaviors of Finnish children aged 4 to 6 years

Background and purpose: JOYPAM is a nationwide study monitoring joy of motion, physical activity, and motor skills of young children in Finland. Methods: In 2023 the amount and quality of physical activity were measured through early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings among 1834 children aged 4 to 6. Physical activity and sedentary time were monitored using a wrist-worn accelerometer (Axivity AX3), and parents’ and guardians’ views on physical activity were collected with a survey questionnaire. Results: On average, children engaged in light-intensity physical activity for 3.0 hours per day and moderate to vigorous physical activity for 1.2 hours per day. Children had on average 9.4 hours sedentary time, 8.3 hours peaceful sleep and 1.8 hours additional time in bed daily. Boys and older children were physically more active compared to girls and younger children (p< 0.001). According to the Finnish recommendations for physical activity in early childhood, children should engage in light, moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least three hours each day, of which at least one hour should be moderate to vigorous activity. Seventy-six per cent of children met this recommendation. Boys met the recommendation more often than girls (83 % vs. 68 %), older children more often than younger children, and children in cities more commonly than those living in rural areas or small towns. During ECEC children got 2.5 hours of light, moderate or vigorous physical activity. Conclusions: ECEC is an important source of physical activity for a child. There might be potential for increasing physical activity in general at home environment during free time and on the weekend days, and moderate to vigorous physical activity for girls during ECEC. Funding: The study was funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture.