PlayCore Sponsored ResearchWe Believe™ in demonstrating leadership through research and a beyond compliant attitude in every aspect of our business including safety, inclusion, and sound environmental practices.
In our effort to continuously refine our understanding of children’s play, PlayCore sponsors a variety of independent research studies that inform our practices, design processes, programs, and advocacy roles. These studies enable us to design equipment that maximizes children’s potential for fun, encourages optimal growth and development, and inspires physical activity and learning through play! National Evaluative study of play On! program for physical activity and fitness in childrenA PlayCore sponsored study presented in partnership with the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) and conducted by Dr. Yuanlong Liu and Dr. Suzan Ayers from the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation of Western Michigan University.
Twenty research sites were selected from applicants across the country based on their ability to provide balance to the study, implement research requirements, and their overall commitment to educating children about physical fitness in new and innovative ways. “This research will help answer some key questions about playgrounds and physical activity. We’re delighted to participate, and we appreciate the assistance of Beta Site schools and sites all over the country,” Nelson says. AAPAR selected Dr. Yuanlong Liu and Dr. Suzan Ayers, from the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, of Western Michigan University, to conduct the study and lead the Play On! Beta Sites in the data collection and entry process through the end of the school year. The research will provide information about physical activity on playgrounds, youth fitness, overall program evaluation, and the developmental benefits of playgrounds. Click here for more information about the Play On! program. About AAPAR & AAHPERD The American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) serves more than 8,000 professors, teachers, trainers, and community leaders who promote meaningful physical activity and recreation across the lifespan. AAPAR is one of five national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), which was founded in 1885 and is the largest organization of professionals committed to achieving a healthy lifestyle. For more information, visit www.aapar.org. About PlayCore PlayCore is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of a broad range of commercial and consumer playground and park equipment, surfacing, site amenity, fitness, and related play products. The business operates under the GameTime and Play & Park Structures, and Ultra Play commercial brands, the award-winning consumer brand of Swing-N-Slide, the surfacing brand of TotTurf, and the youth fitness brand of Everlast Climbing Industries. PlayCore’s corporate headquarters are located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
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"The extensive body of research published throughout most of the twentieth century and into the present century supports a positive relationship between play and social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development, play and learning, and play and academic achievement. Play also has therapeutic powers, helping children to adjust to unique circumstances, and to heal from trauma… The case for play is further supported by studies of play deprivation, showing that absence of play in early childhood can result in devastating consequences for development. Further, play does not steal from learning and academic success, rather early play provides the framework – the early experiences and resulting pre-concepts – essential for later development and success in school" (Frost, 2007).
This spring, children and dedicated professionals from 20 research sites are participating in an evaluative study of a new standards-based fitness program called Play On! Playground Learning Activities for Youth Fitness that provides play-based activities that can be fully implemented using the playground. Play On! was developed by the American Association of Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) and sponsored by PlayCore. The program is designed to facilitate elementary aged children’s physical activity and fitness through fun playground activities and help combat the growing childhood obesity epidemic. “Too many playgrounds sit unused, and we’re confident that the Play On! program will help children reconnect with their love of creative and healthful play,” Mariah Burton Nelson, executive director of AAPAR, says. 
This study focused on play behavior and caloric expenditure of pre-kindergarten through third grade aged children over a twenty-week period during 30 minutes of supervised free play on a PlayCore play structure. The data collected showed a “meaningful expenditure of calories for 30 minutes of play” by all participating age groups, sustained or increased activity levels in all age groups over the twenty weeks of the study, improvement in the ability of the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students to use the trapeze rings, and the overall popularity of climbing and sliding activities, as well as use of trapeze rings. 
The four study summaries to follow focus on topics relevant to the design and use of fabricated or manufactured playground equipment - heights, overhead apparatus, climbers, and swings. These studies employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and were conducted by professors and graduate students at the University of Texas, following review and approval by human subjects committees of that institution. The chief research method was observer-participant in which trained researchers observed children at play on prepared playgrounds over extensive periods... 
The activity of swinging from one arm to another on overhead equipment is called brachiation. The growing volume of research on the benefits of brachiation demonstrates its value for overall health, fitness, and physical development. This study examined the characteristics of children’s brachiation activities that are associated with beginning level use of overhead equipment, through the developmental stages of use leading to and associated with mastery. In general, children progressed through fundamental beginning stages to practice stages, refining stages, and finally to mastery stages, each marked by ever more complex patterns of movement, greater refinement in skills, and apparent improved strength, flexibility, coordination, and confidence. The researchers concluded that insights from research on children’s developmental stages in using overhead equipment, and knowledge about the types of play chosen as children grow through these stages, are essential factors in designing developmentally appropriate overhead apparatus for children (Frost, 2007). 
Research of the late twentieth century established climbing as a developmentally beneficial activity for children. A number of skills required for climbing contribute to children’s cognitive development - including memory, problem solving, and imagery/visualization. This study examined the developmental progression of climbing, differences in children’s climbing behaviors across various types of climbing equipment, difficulty levels of various types of climbing equipment, and the types of climbing equipment that are most beneficial. The study utilized thirteen different types of climbers used daily by kindergarten, first, second, and third grade children. 
Children’s swings have endured over the ages and continue to be among the most popular playground components. Research demonstrates that swings are beneficial for physical, social, and cognitive development, and that they offer certain therapeutic benefits such as promoting movement and perceptual skills, spatial awareness, general fitness, social interaction, mental representation, and sensory integration, including vestibular development (balance). This study examined which types of swings are most popular with children, what gross and fine motor skills children use and develop when swinging, the developmental progression of skills when playing on swings, and children’s motivations for playing on swings. 
This study explored the social and economic impact of local parks and park programs in the state of Texas. Results of the study showed that local parks are a good investment, are important to quality of life and the economy, generate revenues, benefit cities across the state, and enhance economic development.  |
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