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We estimated levels of school recess moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA).

A systematic review was carried out in MEDLINE and SportDiscus to identify observational studies where MVPA had been measured objectively during school recess. Study quality was assessed.

Twenty-four eligible studies in primary school pupils (N = 5778), revealed a weighted mean of 12 minutes MVPA per school day. Only 2 eligible studies were identified involving high school pupils (N = 399). The evidence was generally of moderately high quality.

Recess makes a small contribution to daily MVPA. Substantial policy effort is likely to be needed if recess is to make a more useful contribution to MVPA among children and adolescents.