Exploring the Effects of a 2-Week School Vacation on Physical Fitness and 24-Hour Movement Behaviors in Children

Purpose : Structured school environments support children’s healthy behaviors. This study examined how a 2-week school vacation affects physical fitness and 24-hr movement behaviors in children. Methods : Forty-three children (9–11 years) completed physical fitness assessments (anthropometry, cardiorespiratory fitness, power, and speed) before and after vacation. Movement behaviors (sleep, physical activity, and sedentary time) were continuously monitored via accelerometry across four time points. Results : No significant change in physical fitness was found. However, movement behaviors were disrupted during vacations: moderate to vigorous physical activity declined sharply, particularly in boys, and sleep onset and offset were delayed by over an hour ( p < .001). Compliance with 24-hr guidelines decreased during vacation. Conclusion : Short school breaks may not impact physical fitness but can disrupt movement behaviors, especially in boys. These findings support the structured days hypothesis and highlight the importance of consistent routines in physical education to sustain healthy behaviors across academic and nonacademic periods.