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OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to examine policies and characteristics of preschools and the extent to which they influence the physical activity of 3- to 5-year-old children during the preschool day.

METHODS. A total of 299 children from 20 preschools wore accelerometers for an average of 8.1 hours/day (SD: 1.5 hours/day), for 5.5 days (SD: 2.1 days). A researcher completed the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised for each preschool to assess quality. Classrooms and playgrounds were measured, and the preschool director was interviewed about physical activity policies. For each policy or characteristic, preschools were divided into 2 groups on the basis of whether the characteristic/policy was presumed to promote or not promote physical activity.

RESULTS. Children spent fewer minutes per hour in sedentary activity and more minutes per hour in moderate/vigorous physical activity in …