Associations between organized sports participation and objectively measured physical activity, sedentary time and weight status in youth

Leisure-time physical activity and participation in organized sports: Changes from 1985 to 2014 in Finland and Norway

Participation in organized sports is a popular and important part of the lives of children and adolescents and is associated with improved psychological and social health, as well as an increased likelihood of meeting physical activity (PA) recommendations. Changes in modern society, including increased car ownership and use of technology and electronic media, have led to an additional focus on the importance of health‐enhancing PA among children and adolescents. The aim of this article was to study the secular changes in self‐reports of participation in organized sports clubs and leisure‐time vigorous physical activity (LVPA), and whether the relationship between participation in organized sports clubs and LVPA has changed from 1985 to 2014. Questionnaire data were collected in two cross‐sectional samples of Finnish and Norwegian 11‐, 13‐ and 15‐year‐olds in 1985/1986 (n = 7137) and 2014 (n = 9218). Overall, participation in organized sports clubs and level of LVPA appears to have changed in the same direction in the two Nordic countries. The proportion of 11‐year‐olds reporting to be participants in organized sports clubs increased from 1985/1986 to 2014. There was an overall increase in self‐reported LVPA. The association between participation in sports clubs and LVPA was stronger in 2014 than in 1985/1986. The findings indicated subgroup differences, in particular with regard to a steeper increase in LVPA and participation in sports clubs among Finnish girls. We suggest that attention should be given to the role of organized sports to better understand secular changes in PA.

Motor competence and health-related fitness in children: A cross-cultural comparison between Portugal and the United States

BACKGROUND

Motor competence and health-related fitness are important components for the development and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle in children. This study examined cross-cultural performances on motor competence and health-related fitness between Portuguese and U.S. children.

METHODS

Portuguese (n = 508; 10.14 ± 2.13 years , mean ± SD) and U.S. (n = 710; 9.48 ± 1.62 years) children performed tests of cardiorespiratory fitness (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run), upper body strength (handgrip), locomotor skill performance (standing long jump), and object projection skill performance (throwing and kicking). Portuguese and U.S. children were divided into 2 age groups (6-9 and 10-13 years) for data analysis purposes. A two-factor one-way analysis of covariance (ANOVA) was conducted with the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run, handgrip, standing long jump scores, kicking, and throwing speed (km/h) as dependent variables.

RESULTS

Results indicated that Portuguese children, irrespective of sex, presented better performances in locomotor and cardiorespiratory performance (standing long jump and Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run) than U.S. children in both age bands. U.S. children outperformed Portuguese children during throwing and handgrip tests. Kicking tests presented gender differences: Portuguese boys and U.S. girls outperformed their internationally matched counterparts.

CONCLUSION

Cultural differences in physical education curricula and sports participation may impact differences in motor competence and fitness development in these countries.

Participation in Organized Sports and Self-Organized Physical Activity: Associations with Developmental Factors

Engagement in organized sports is associated with developmental factors, such as, healthy growth, cognitive abilities, psychological well-being and lower substance use. Research also suggest that the spontaneous free play that characterises self-organized physical activity (PA) provides young people with opportunities to learn social skills, such as self-regulation and conflict-resolution skills. We assessed associations between participation in the two activity types and several demographics along with developmental factors (e.g., body mass index (BMI)). Data was from a representative sample of 2060 students attending 38 schools in Norway (mean age (M_age) = 15.29, standard deviation (SD) = 1.51; 52% females). Results indicated that while engagement in organized sports was more related to developmental factors, relative to self-organized PA, engaging concurrently in both activities for at least an hour a week was more developmentally beneficial than engaging only in one for the same amount of time. Thus, PA programmes for students will enhance their effectiveness if they focus on structured activities but also self-organized activities where students can coordinate themselves.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal association of sports participation, media consumption and motor competence in youth

The beneficial associations of physical activity (PA) and sports with motor competence have been well documented. Similarly, high media time has been associated with poor motor competence. Limited information, however, is available on the combined effects of sport participation and media consumption on motor competence. The present study followed 213 Austrian middle-school students (57% male; age at baseline: 10.4 ± 0.6 years) over a 4-year period. Annual assessments included the German Motor Test 6-18, along with self-reported participation in club sports, time spent watching TV and using the computer. There were no interaction effects between sports participation and media time on motor competence. Club sports participation, however, was associated with higher motor competence, while there was an inverse association between media time and motor competence. Further, motor competence affected future participation in club sports while club sports had limited effects on subsequent motor development. High media time, on the other hand, impaired subsequent motor development, while effects of motor competence on media time were limited. Taken together, these results emphasize the importance of motor competence in the facilitation of sports participation during adolescence. Accordingly, a wide variety of movement experiences should be provided at young ages to promote motor development. In addition, the detrimental effects of media time on motor competence warrant that sedentary behaviors are targeted separately, particularly in youth not participating in sports.

Physical education and leisure-time sport reduce overweight and obesity: a number needed to treat analysis

BACKGROUND

School-based physical education (PE) and organised leisure-time sports participation (LTSP) represent important physical activity opportunities for children. We examined the preventive effect of increased PE as well as LTSP on overweight and obesity (OW/OB) in school children.

METHODS

Longitudinal data from children attending 10 primary schools in the Danish municipality of Svendborg, comprising 6 intensive PE (270 min/week) and 4 control (90 min/week) schools were assessed. Age- and sex-specific cut-offs for body mass index (BMI) determined OW/OB status. Associations between OW/OB status and school type (intensive PE or control) or LTSP were investigated using mixed, multilevel logistic regression models. Significant parameter estimates were converted into number needed to treat statistics (NNT).

RESULTS

In total, 1009 children (53.3% female; mean age 8.4 ± 1.4 years) were included in the analysis, with 892 children (52% female) being normal weight (NW) at baseline. Eighteen (NNT = 17.1; 95% CI [11.0, 226.1]) children attending an intensive PE school for 2 years, resulted in one fewer case of OW/OB compared with attendance at a normal PE school. For NW children, prevention of one case of OW/OB requires 36 (NNT = 35.8; 95% CI [25.1, 596.3]) children to participate in intensive PE for 2 years in comparison with normal PE. LTSP over 2 years may prevent OW/OB if 15 children participate in one LTSP session/week, 9 in two LTSP sessions/week and 8 in three LTSP sessions/week; for normal weight children, 25 children had to participate in one LTSP session/week, 16 in two LTSP sessions/week and 14 in three LTSP sessions/week.

CONCLUSION

We provide the first NNT estimates of school-based PE and LTSP to prevent the onset of OW/OB. PE, and separately, LTSP seem to have both a protective and a treatment effect against OW/OB in children.

Physical Fitness and Body Composition in 10-12-Year-Old Danish Children in Relation to Leisure-Time Club-Based Sporting Activities

This study investigated whether the physical fitness and body composition of 10–12-year-old Danish children are related to participation in leisure-time club-based sporting activities. The study involved 544 Danish 10–12-year-old 5th-grade municipal schoolchildren (269 boys and 275 girls, 11.1 ± 0.4 years). After answering a questionnaire about leisure-time sporting activities, the children were divided into four groups: football club participation (FC; n=141), other ball games (OBG; n=42), other sports (OS; n=194), and no sports-club participation (NSC; n=167). The children completed a battery of health and fitness tests, including a 20 m sprint test, a standing long-jump test, the Yo-Yo IR1 children's test (YYIR1C), and body composition, blood pressure, resting heart rate (HR_rest), and the flamingo balance test. The children engaged in club-based ball games (FC and OBG) had higher (p<0.05) lean body mass than NSC (FC: 17.5 ± 2.9; OBG: 18.4 ± 2.6; OS: 16.7 ± 2.9; NSC: 16.4 ± 2.8 kg), performed better (p<0.05) in the YYIR1C test (FC: 1083 ± 527; OBG: 968 ± 448; OS: 776 ± 398; NSC: 687 ± 378 m), and had lower (p<0.05) %HR_max after 1, 2, and 3 min of YYIR1C. Moreover, HR_rest was lower (p<0.05) for FC than for OS and NSC (FC: 68 ± 9 vs OS: 72 ± 10 and NSC: 75 ± 10 bpm), and lower (p<0.05) for OBG than for NSC (OBG: 70 ± 10 vs NSC: 75 ± 10 bpm). This study found that 10–12-year-old Danish children engaged in club-based football and other ball games had better exercise capacity, lower resting heart rate, and higher muscle mass than children not engaged in leisure-time sports. Thus, participation in club-based leisure-time ball-game activities seems to be of importance for the fitness and health profile of prepubertal children.

Association Between Sport Participation, Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Social Correlates Among Adolescents: The PAHL Study

Background: Evidence suggests that social support impacts on participation in sport or physical activity (PA), and is associated with health benefits, although the link is complex and not well understood. The study aim was to examine whether participation in organized sports is related to body composition, physical fitness, and social correlates for PA. Methods: Cross-sectional data on 238 adolescents (90 boys and 148 girls), mean age 14.9 ± 0.8 years, who were participants in the Physical Activity and Health Longitudinal Study, were collected. The participants were divided into two groups: sport participation (SP) and non-sport participation (NSP). Height, weight, and triceps and subscapular skinfolds were assessed according to standard procedures. Weight (kg) and height (m²) were used to calculate body mass index (BMI), and skinfolds were used to calculate body fat percentage. The European Test of Physical Fitness (EUROFIT) battery of tests was used to assess physical fitness. The standardized International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and Social Support for PA questionnaires were used to obtain information on PA and social correlates for PA, respectively. Participants were asked to choose between participation and non-participation in sport. Results: The SP group had lower BMI component values (p = 0.011, d = 0.52 for percentage body fat (%BF); p = 0.011, d = 0.53 for sum of skinfolds (∑SKF) obtained higher physical fitness scores in selected items (p = 0.003, d = 0.64 for sit ups (SUP); p < 0.000, d = 0.96 for maximal oxygen consumption VO₂max) and received higher social support (p < 0.001, d = 0.86 for social support (SS)), than the NSP group. The social support received by those participating in sport correlated positively with most fitness components (p = 0.013, r² = 18% for bent arm hang (BAH); p = 0.000, r² = 12% for sit ups (SUP); p = 0.000, r² = 17% for VO₂max). Physical fitness components were negatively associated with most body composition components for both groups. Conclusions: The results provide a better understanding of sport participation in organized sports-related, body composition-related and physical fitness-related associations with changes in social support received by adolescents and may contribute to the development of more accurate promotive strategies to increase children’s and adolescents’ engagement in sport and PA.

Association of Sports Participation and Diet with Motor Competence in Austrian Middle School Students

Physical activity and diet are important contributors to overall health and development in adolescents. There remains, however, limited research on the combined association of sports participation and dietary pattern on motor competence, which is crucial for an active lifestyle during and beyond adolescence. The present study, therefore, examined the association between sports participation, dietary pattern, and motor competence in 165 middle school students (55% male) between 11 and 14 years of age. Body weight and height were measured, and motor competence was determined via the German motor test during regular Physical Education (PE). Further, participants completed a food frequency questionnaire and reported their engagement in club sports. Of the total sample 20% were overweight/obese and 49% reported participation in club sports, with no differences between boys and girls. Interaction effects of sports participation and dietary pattern on motor competence were limited, but sports participation and healthy diet were independently associated with higher motor performance. Healthy dietary choices, along with participation in club sports, therefore, should be promoted in adolescents in order to facilitate motor development. As adolescence is a crucial time for the establishment of lifelong behaviors, such efforts could facilitate a healthy lifestyle throughout adulthood.

Duration and intensity of different types of physical activity among children aged 10-13 years

OBJECTIVES

To use a predominately objective measurement approach to assess and describe: (1) the amount of time that children aged 10-13 years spend participating in outdoor active play, active travel, curriculum-based physical activity at school, and organized sport; (2) the movement intensity composition of these four types of physical activity (i.e., % of time spent at a sedentary, light, or moderate-to-vigorous intensity); and (3) the proportion of each movement intensity obtained by participating in these four types of physical activity.

METHODS

Three hundred seventy-seven children aged 10-13 years from Kingston, Canada, were studied. Children wore an accelerometer and GPS watch for 7 days and recorded the start and end times of the school day, recess periods, and organized sport sessions on a log. These data were used to estimate time spent in the four types of physical activity and the movement intensity composition of these activities.

RESULTS

Time spent in outdoor active play (36 min/day) and organized sport (40 min/day) was higher than that for active travel (17 min/day) and curriculum-based physical activity (26 min/day). With the exception of organized sport, values were higher for boys than for girls. Older children accumulated less outdoor active play and more active travel than younger children. The greatest proportion of light- and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity movement was attributed to outdoor active play.

CONCLUSION

We used a primarily objective measurement approach to assess and describe the amount of time children aged 10-13 participate in four types of physical activity. These descriptive findings could be used to identify target areas for physical activity interventions and policies.

Early life factors are associated with trajectories of consistent organized sport participation over childhood and adolescence: Longitudinal analysis from the Raine Study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to identify early life factors that were associated with childhood and adolescent organized sport participation trajectories.

DESIGN

Participants were in the Raine Study, a pregnancy cohort in Western Australia recruited from 1989 to 1991.

METHODS

Three organized sport trajectories over ages 5-17years were previously identified for girls (n=824: consistent participators, dropouts, and non-participators in sport) and boys (n=855: consistent participators, dropouts, joiners - those who joined sport in adolescence). Physical, psychological and social factors were measured from birth to age 5.

RESULTS

For girls and boys, children who were breastfed, were taller, did not have behavior problems, and attended childcare were more likely to consistently participate. Girls who had a previous injury (Relative risk ratio 1.55: 95% confidence interval 1.05, 2.29 vs never been injured) or who had parents who had worries about their child's health (1.56: 1.00, 2.42 vs no worries) were more likely to be in the dropout trajectory. Boys born preterm (2.00, 2.06, 3.76 vs full-term), did not have a previous injury (0.72, 0.53, 0.97 those with injury vs never been injured), had more difficult temperament (1.63, 1.02, 2.60 vs easy temperament), and higher family dysfunction (1.49, 1.06, 2.08) were more likely to be in the dropout trajectory.

CONCLUSIONS

Early life factors were associated with membership in sport trajectories. Physical, psychological, and social factors may serve as early warning signs for parents and practitioners that children may be at higher risk of dropping out of sports.

Longitudinal changes in vigorous intensity physical activity from childhood to adolescence: Gateshead Millennium Study

OBJECTIVE

The aims of our study were to quantify levels and investigate sex-specific changes and trajectories in VPA longitudinally from age 7 to 15 years.

DESIGN

Longitudinal observational study.

METHODS

Participants were part of the Gateshead Millennium Study. Measures were taken at age 7 (n=507), 9 (n=510), 12 (n=425) and 15 years (n=310). Vigorous physical activity was quantified objectively using ActiGraph GT1M accelerometers over 5-7days at the four time-points. Multilevel linear spline random-effects model and trajectory analysis to identify sub-groups were performed.

RESULTS

In boys, average VPA declined across childhood followed by an increase at adolescence, while in girls, average VPA declined across the 8-year study period. In boys, daily VPA decreased from 9-12 years (1.70minutes/year) and increased from 12-15 years (1.99minutes/year) (all p <0.05). In girls daily VPA decreased from 7-9 years (1.70minutes/year) (p <0.05). Three VPA trajectories were identified which differed between the sexes. In boys, one group decreased from an initial relatively high level, one group, initially relatively low, increased, whereas the third one was stable over the 8-year period. In girls, all three groups declined from baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Marked sex and age-specific trajectories in VPA change were observed. These novel findings should help sports and exercise medicine specialists, as well as policy makers, in their effort to maintain or increase VPA in childhood and adolescence.

Enhancing the Evidence Base for Irish Female Youth Participation in Physical Activity—The Development of the Gaelic4Girls Program

The purpose of the current research was to gather baseline data on female youth to inform the development of a targeted physical activity (PA) and sports-based intervention, specifically identified as “Gaelic4Girls”. Cross-sectional data on PA levels, psychological correlates of PA, anthropometric characteristics, and the fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency of female youth (n = 331; M age 10.92±1.22) were collected. A subsample (n = 37) participated in focus group (FG) interviews exploring perceptions of health/sport, and identifying barriers/motivators to participation. PA levels were assessed using self-report (PA Questionnaire for Older Children) and classified as low, moderate, and high active. One- and two-way ANOVAs (post hoc Tukey honest significant difference [HSD]) were used to analyze the data. The FGs were transcribed verbatim, coded, and thematically analyzed. Findings indicated that the majority of youth (71.8%) were not meeting the minimum daily PA recommendations for health, and that 98.1% did not achieve the FMS proficiency expected for their age. Low, moderately, and highly active participants differ significantly in terms of overall FMS (p = .03), and locomotor control scores (p = .03). FG findings report fun and friendship as key PA motivators, too much competitiveness as barriers, and positive outside encouragement from family/friends/coaches as facilitators encouraging PA engagement. Findings highlight the need for targeting low levels of PA, FMS proficiency in female youth sport interventions, through addressing self-efficacy levels, inclusive of fun, and socially-stimulating PA environments.

Are Self-Efficacy and Weight Perception Associated With Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Hispanic Adolescents?

Little is known about the correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in Hispanic adolescents. This study examined at baseline and 2-year follow-up: (1) the relationship between self-efficacy for physical activity and physical activity, (2) the association of weight perception with physical activity and sedentary behavior, and (3) whether sex moderated these associations. Hispanic adolescents ( N = 483 at baseline; age 15-17 years; 55.1% girls) completed questionnaires that assessed their self-efficacy for physical activity, weight perception, and time spent in physical activity and sedentary behavior. Multiple-group path analyses were conducted to examine the proposed relationships and determine whether they were moderated by sex. Models controlled for body mass index, weight loss intention, participation on a sports team, language spoken at home, parental education, and country of birth. Self-efficacy was related to time spent in physical activity in boys ( b = .35, p < .001) and girls ( b = .41, p < .001) at baseline, but not 2 years later. No association was found for weight perception and time spent in physical activity and sedentary behavior. Post hoc analyses for overweight participants at baseline showed that weight perception was associated with time spent watching television. Overall, the findings suggest that self-efficacy is an important correlate, but not a predictor, of physical activity among Hispanic adolescents. Including strategies to address and enhance self-efficacy for physical activity in lifestyle interventions may increase adherence to physical activity recommendations and help reduce the high prevalence of obesity in this population.

Time-use and environmental determinants of dropout from organized youth football and tennis

BACKGROUND

Many adolescents drop out of organized sports. Lack of motivation and competing priorities are known as important reasons for dropout. However, time use factors as well as environmental determinants have been largely neglected in the current literature on dropout from youth sports. The aim of this study is to investigate how (changes in) time use and characteristics of the physical environment determine dropout from football and tennis among adolescents.

METHODS

Data on time use and background characteristics were collected through online surveys in 2015 and 2016 among adolescents aged 13-21 (N = 2555), including both the dropped outs and those who still continued membership of their football or tennis clubs. Physical environmental determinants (travel distance to the sports club, and neighbourhood density) were measured objectively. Binary logistic regression analyses were carried out for football and tennis separately to examine the associations between time use (time spent on various activities and changes related to the school and job situation), and environmental factors on the probability of dropping out from sports.

RESULTS

Time spent on sports outside the context of the sports club, and time spent on social or voluntary activities at the sports club was positively associated with continuing being football and tennis members. Tennis players who changed schools or participated in two sports at the same time had a higher probability of dropping out, whereas tennis players who travelled greater distances from home to the tennis club were less likely to drop out.

CONCLUSIONS

Determinants of dropout differed between football and tennis. However, time use variables were important predictors of dropout from football as well as tennis, whereas environmental determinants hardly contributed to the prediction of dropout. To keep youths involved in organized sports, this study recommends that sports professionals should: 1) offer flexibility in training and competition schedules, 2) stimulate participation in social activities and voluntary work at the sports club, 3) pay special attention to their needs and preferences, and 4) encourage possibilities to practice and play sports outside of regular training hours, for instance at the sports club or at playgrounds or parks in the neighbourhood.

Child participation in sports is influenced by patterns of lifestyle-related behaviors

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to identify patterns of child and family characteristics and behaviors, and to determine the association of those patterns with child participation in sports.

METHODS

A questionnaire and anthropometric measures were used to collect data on 834 parents and their 6- to 10-year-old children. A principal component analysis identified child and parental patterns, which were tested for association with child participation in extracurricular sports (ES).

RESULTS

Seven patterns were identified: (1) socio-economic, (2) child obesity, (3) parental TV viewing, (4) father's physical activity (PA), (5) mother's PA, (6) child screen time, and (7) parental reported barriers. After adjustment, patterns 1 and 7 (P < .001), pattern 2 (P = .01), and patterns 5 and 6 (P = .04) were significantly associated with the number of sports practiced by children while, patterns 1 and 7 (P < .001), pattern 2 (P = .03), and patterns 4 and 5 (P = .01) were significantly associated with frequency of participation in ES.

CONCLUSION

Future interventions to promote children's participation in sports should be based on a socio-ecological model and targeted to high-risk populations showing multiple risks such as a lower socio-economic status, inactive parents, or obese children.

Does SuperPark Make Children Less Sedentary? How Visiting a Commercial Indoor Activity Park Affects 7 to 12 Years Old Children's Daily Sitting and Physical Activity Time

Commercial indoor activity parks provide children with a variety of entertaining physical activities. This study examined whether visiting SuperPark affects total daily sitting and physical activity time. The participants (8 girls and 7 boys, aged 10.3 ± 1.9 years, height 144.5 ± 11.8 cm, body mass index (BMI) 19.3 ± 3.0 kg/m²) wore a thigh-worn accelerometer during a normal week and were provided free tickets to visit SuperPark on at least one day. On average, the children spent 3.3 ± 1.2 h in SuperPark. During the visits the children had 0.9 h less sitting (0.7 ± 0.3 h, p = 0.000) and 0.9 h more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; 1.4 ± 0.6 h, p = 0.002) as compared to the reference periods on days without a SuperPark visit (1.6 ± 0.3 h sitting and 0.5 ± 0.4 h MVPA). During the days when visiting SuperPark, sitting time decreased 1.0 h (5.8 ± 0.9 h, p = 0.008) and MVPA increased 0.8 h (3.0 ± 1.0 h, p = 0.017) as compared to the reference days (6.8 ± 1.1 h sitting and 2.2 ± 0.8 h MVPA). The effects were more pronounced during weekdays than weekends. The children spent more than three hours in SuperPark on one visit, of which almost a half was MVPA. During the whole day, one hour of sitting was replaced with MVPA, suggesting that visiting SuperPark has the potential to improve health. Whether children continue visiting SuperPark and gain health benefits merits investigation.

Does sports club participation contribute to physical activity among children and adolescents? A comparison across six European countries

Aims: Insufficient physical activity (PA) is one of the largest public health challenges of our time and requires a multisectoral public-health response. PA recommendations state that all children and adolescents should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) daily and carry out vigorous PA (VPA) three times weekly. While participation in sports club activities is known to enhance the probability of reaching the recommended overall PA level, less is known about the contribution of sports club participation to VPA, and few cross-national comparisons have been carried out. The purpose of this paper is to study whether participation in sports club activities is associated with meeting the overall PA and VPA recommendations among children and adolescents across six European countries, namely Belgium (Flanders), Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ireland and Sweden. Methods: Analyses were carried out on existing self-reported national data sets using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Results indicate that approximately two-thirds of children and adolescents take part in sports club activities in the given countries. Sports club participants were more likely to meet the overall PA recommendations (OR 2.4-6.4) and VPA recommendation (OR 2.8-5.0) than non-participants. Conclusions: The extent to which overall PA and/or VPA is gained through sports club participation versus other settings needs to be further studied. Nonetheless, it can be argued that sports clubs have an important position in PA promotion for younger populations.

Girls' transition from participation in a modified sport program to club sport competition - a study of longitudinal patterns and correlates

BACKGROUND

Participation in sport is very popular for young children. Many children participate in entry-level modified sports programs. These programs are modified to match the developmental capacity of children and are aimed at development of fundamental motor skills and sport-specific skills, rather than competition. There is limited research on the longitudinal tracking of children in these programs and into club-based competition. Research suggests that most children drop-out of the sport and do not transition into club-based competition. Furthermore, more females than males drop-out of sport. The aim of this study is to investigate longitudinally, the patterns and demographic predictors of children's transition from modified sport programs to club sport competition for females.

METHODS

This study analysed sport participation for females in a popular Australian, predominantly female, sport. Players of the modified sports program were followed over 4 years to determine their pattern of transition: transition to junior player status, withdraw from the sport, or continue in the modified program. Pattern of transition was compared across age (4-10), geographical region (metropolitan/non-metropolitan) and socio-economic status (SES). Logistic regression was used to model the effect of the three factors on the likelihood of transition.

RESULTS

A total of 13,760 female children (aged 4-10) participated in the modified sport in the first year. The majority (59%) transitioned from the modified sport program and into club competition. However the rate of transition varied with age, residential location and socio-economic status, and there was an interaction between region and SES, with SES having a significant influence on transition in the metropolitan region. The peak sport entry age with the highest rates of transition was 7-9 years.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that whilst the majority of female participants continued participantion and tranisitioned from the modified sport program and into club competition, the strongest correlate of transition was age of entry, with transition rate peaking among those who commenced at age 7-9 years. It is recommended that, in order to maximise continued participation, sport policy and strategic developments should consider the possibility that targeting the very young is not the optimum recruitment strategy for fostering continued sport participation.

Development of a measurement approach to assess time children participate in organized sport, active travel, outdoor active play, and curriculum-based physical activity

BACKGROUND

Children participate in four main types of physical activity: organized sport, active travel, outdoor active play, and curriculum-based physical activity. The objective of this study was to develop a valid approach that can be used to concurrently measure time spent in each of these types of physical activity.

METHODS

Two samples (sample 1: n = 50; sample 2: n = 83) of children aged 10-13 wore an accelerometer and a GPS watch continuously over 7 days. They also completed a log where they recorded the start and end times of organized sport sessions. Sample 1 also completed an outdoor time log where they recorded the times they went outdoors and a description of the outdoor activity. Sample 2 also completed a curriculum log where they recorded times they participated in physical activity (e.g., physical education) during class time.

RESULTS

We describe the development of a measurement approach that can be used to concurrently assess the time children spend participating in specific types of physical activity. The approach uses a combination of data from accelerometers, GPS, and activity logs and relies on merging and then processing these data using several manual (e.g., data checks and cleaning) and automated (e.g., algorithms) procedures. In the new measurement approach time spent in organized sport is estimated using the activity log. Time spent in active travel is estimated using an existing algorithm that uses GPS data. Time spent in outdoor active play is estimated using an algorithm (with a sensitivity and specificity of 85%) that was developed using data collected in sample 1 and which uses all of the data sources. Time spent in curriculum-based physical activity is estimated using an algorithm (with a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 92%) that was developed using data collected in sample 2 and which uses accelerometer data collected during class time. There was evidence of excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability of the estimates for all of these types of physical activity when the manual steps were duplicated.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel measurement approach can be used to estimate the time that children participate in different types of physical activity.

Active parents, active children: The importance of parental organized physical activity in children's extracurricular sport participation

This study investigated whether parental participation in organized and unorganized physical activity (PA) was associated with children's participation in extracurricular sport. The sample comprised 834 parents and their children (aged 6-10 years), living in central Portugal. Questionnaires assessed parental PA (organized and unorganized) and extracurricular sport participation in children (number of sports and frequency of participation). Multinomial logistic regression was applied to assess associations between parental and child physical behaviors. Having both parents active was significantly associated with frequent participation in more sports both in girls and boys but a strong relation according to gender was found. The odds of boys practicing more than one sport and more times per week were higher if they had an active father. Girls with physically active mothers, particularly with mothers practicing organized PA in a regular way, were engaged in more sports and practiced sport more times per week. The type of PA practiced by the parents was not related to boys' participation in sport. Future interventions should be family-based and focus on the promotion of higher levels of parental PA, including organized, in order to improve their children's active behaviors.

Poor Skeletal Robustness on Lower Extremities and Weak Lean Mass Development on Upper Arm and Calf: Normal Weight Obesity in Middle-School-Aged Children (9 to 12)

Background: Normal weight obesity in children has been associated with excessive body fat, lower bone density and decreased total lean mass. However, no studies have been done into whether normal weight obese children differ in skeletal robustness or lean mass development on the extremities from normal weight non-obese, overweight, and obese peers although these are important indicators of healthy development of children. Methods: Body height, body weight, BMI, four skinfolds, and two limb circumferences were assessed. We calculated total body fat using Slaughter's equations, the Frame index for skeletal robustness and muscle area for the upper arm and calf using Rolland-Cachera equations. Using national references of BMI and measured skinfolds, three subgroups of participants (9-12 years) consisting of 210 middle-school-aged children (M-age = 11.01 ± 1.05)-110 girls and 100 boys-were selected: (A) overweight obese (OWOB) (n = 72); (B) normal weight obese (NWO) (n = 69); and, (C) normal weight non-obese (NWNO) (n = 69). All values, were converted to Z-scores to take account of participant's sex and age. Results: NWO children had significantly poorer skeletal robustness on lower extremities and poorer muscle area on the upper arm and calf compared to NWNO counterparts with significantly higher evidence in boys-skeletal robustness NWO boys: Z-score = -0.85; NWO girls: Z-score = -0.43; lean mass on the calf: NWO boys Z-score = -1.34; NWO girls: Z-score = -0.85. The highest skeletal robustness-but not muscle area on the calf-was detected in OWOB children. Conclusions: Further research should focus on whether this poor skeletal and lean mass development: (1) is a consequence of insufficient physical activity regimes; (2) affects physical fitness of NWO children and could contribute to a higher prevalence of health problems in them. We have highlighted the importance of the development of a simple identification of NWO children to be used by pediatricians.

A cross-sectional and prospective analyse of reallocating sedentary time to physical activity on children's cardiorespiratory fitness

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with health benefits in children, improving cardiac morphology, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and biological outcomes. This study aimed to examine the substitution effects of displaying a fixed duration of sedentary time with a fixed duration of physical activity (PA) at different intensities on children's CRF. A total of 315 children (136 boys) were assessed (age: 10.6 ± 0.6 years old). Outcomes at baseline and follow-up (16-months) were CRF determined using a maximal cycle test and sedentary time and PA measured with accelerometers. Data were analysed by isotemporal substitution analyses estimating the effect of reallocating 30 min/day of sedentary time by light (LPA), moderate (MPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) on CRF. VPA was positively and significantly associated with CRF cross-sectional (β = 0.026, p < 0.001) and prospectively (β = 0.010, p < 0.001). Reallocating 30 min/day of sedentary time into VPA was positively cross-sectionally (β = 0.780, p < 0.001) and prospectively (β = 0.303, p < 0.05) associated with CRF. Conversely, relocating 30-minutes of sedentary time into 30 minutes of LPA and MPA was not associated with CRF. These results suggest that reallocating an equal amount of time from sedentary into VPA is cross-sectional and prospectively associated with a favourable CRF.

In Search of Consistent Predictors of Children's Physical Activity

Physical activity is pivotal for children's health and well-being, yet participation declines across teenage years. Efforts to increase physical activity need to be strengthened to combat this, however, evidence for the design and planning of physical activity promotion in children is lacking. The aim was to identify predictors of physical activity that were relatively consistent across three different measures of physical activity, in pre- and early adolescent South Australians. This is the first study to compare correlates of physical activity across three measures of physical activity in a single sample, in this age group. Children (n = 324) aged 9-13 years and their parents were surveyed on personal, interpersonal and environmental correlates of physical activity. Child physical activity was objectively measured using pedometers (7 days). Self-reported physical activity was determined from organised sport participation and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Regression models were used to identify consistent predictors of three physical activity measures. Consistent predictors across multiple physical activity measures were: parent support for physical activity, having appropriate clothing for sport, enjoyment of physical activity and perceived availability of sporting clubs. These predictors identify potential avenues for directing intervention efforts to increase physical activity in early adolescents.

Cross-sectional and prospective impact of reallocating sedentary time to physical activity on children's body composition

BACKGROUND

The amount of time children spend in sedentary behaviours may have adverse health effects.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the substitution effects of displacing a fixed duration of sedentary time with physical activity (PA) on children's body composition.

METHODS

We included 386 children (197 boys). Outcomes were body mass index, waist circumference, total body fat mass and trunk fat mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Sedentary time and PA were measured with accelerometers. Data were analysed by isotemporal analyses estimating the effect of reallocating 15 and 30 min d^-1 of sedentary time into light (light physical activity), and moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) PA on body composition.

RESULTS

Reallocating 15 and 30 min d^-1 of sedentary time into MVPA was negatively associated with body fatness in cross-sectional analyses. Prospectively, reallocating 30 min of sedentary time into 30 min of MVPA was negatively associated with waist circumference (β = -1.11, p < 0.05), trunk fat mass (β = -0.21, p < 0.05), and total body fat mass (β = -0.48, p < 0.05) at follow-up (20 months). The magnitude of associations was half in magnitude and remained significant (p < 0.05) when reallocating 15 min of sedentary time into MVPA. Reallocating sedentary time into light physical activity was not related (p > 0.05) with body fatness outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Substituting sedentary time with MVPA using isotemporal analysis is associated with positive effects on body composition.

Organized Sport Trajectories from Childhood to Adolescence and Health Associations

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to identify unique organized sport trajectories from early childhood to late adolescence in an Australian pregnancy cohort, the Raine Study.

METHODS

Participation in organized sport was assessed at ages 5, 8, 10, 14, and 17 yr. Physical activity, body composition, and self-rated physical and mental health were assessed at the age of 20 yr. Latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of sport participation. To assess the internal validity of the trajectory classes, differences in health characteristics between trajectories were analyzed using generalized linear models.

RESULTS

For girls, three trajectory classes were identified: consistent sport participators (47.5%), sport dropouts (34.3%), and sport nonparticipators (18.1%). For boys, three trajectory classes were identified: consistent sport participators (55.2%), sport dropouts (36.9%), and sport joiners (8.1%). For girls, there were overall differences across trajectory classes in lean body mass (P = 0.003), lean mass index (P = 0.06), and physical health (P = 0.004). For boys, there were differences across classes in physical activity (P = 0.018), percent body fat (P = 0.002), lean body mass (P < 0.001), lean mass index (P < 0.001), physical health (P = 0.06), and depression scores (P = 0.27).

CONCLUSION

This study identified unique, sex-specific trajectories of organized sport participation. The differences in health outcomes between trajectory classes, such as participants with consistent sport participation having more preferable health outcomes at the age of 20 yr, support the internal validity of the trajectories. Strategies are needed to identify and encourage those in the dropout trajectory to maintain their participation and those in the nonparticipator or joiner trajectories to join sport earlier. Specifically, interventions to encourage early sport participation in girls and help nonparticipating boys to join sport during adolescence may help more children receive the benefits of sport participation.

Reallocating sedentary time to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity but not to light-intensity physical activity is effective to reduce adiposity among youths: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of the study was to summarize the evidence of the effects of reallocating time spent in sedentary behaviours in different activity intensities on youth's adiposity. Five databases were searched. Studies that reported the effects of replacing sedentary behaviour with light-intensity physical activity (LIPA) and/or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on at least one adiposity parameter. The estimated regression coefficients (β) and 95% CIs were combined and meta-analysed. Data from 7,351 youths and five studies were analysed. Pooled analysis from cross-sectional studies shows that replacing sedentary time with LIPA showed no significant associations with any adiposity-related outcomes. Replacing sedentary time with MVPA was statistically associated with total body fat percentage (β = -2.512; p = 0.003), but not with body mass index or waist circumference. In subgroup analysis, the greatest magnitude of association was observed from studies where 60 min of sedentary behaviour was reallocated to 60 min of MVPA (β = -4.535; p < 0.001). Our results highlight the importance of promoting MVPA, which may improve body composition phenotypes in young people. This information can be used to develop more effective lifestyle interventions.

Organized leisure-time sport participation and academic achievement in preadolescents

AIMS

The aims of this study were to study the correlation between lifestyle-related factors, such as organized leisure-time sport participation (OLSP), cardiorespiratory fitness, and adiposity, and academic achievement among preadolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study involving 248 nine-year-old school children was carried out. OLSP was self-reported with parental assistance, categorized as ≤ 1× a week, 2-3× a week, and ≥ 4× times a week or more. Academic achievement was estimated with results from standardized test scores in Icelandic and math. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated using a maximal cycle ergometer test. The sum of four skinfolds was used to estimate adiposity.

RESULTS

Tests of between-subjects effect indicated that OLSP significantly correlated with achievement in math only (F(2,235) = 3.81, p = 0.024). Further analysis showed that the two less active groups had significantly lower scores in math compared to the most active group with OLSP ≥ 4× times a week or more (2-3× times a week, unstandardized coefficient (b) = -4.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-7.09, -1.07]; ≤ 1× a week, b = -3.84, 95% CI [-7.59, -0.08]), independent of sex, age, maturity level (age to/from peak height velocity), family structure, and parental education. Neither cardiorespiratory fitness nor adiposity significantly correlated with academic achievements.

CONCLUSIONS

The study's result indicates that frequent (four times per week or more often) sport participation is not harmful but may be beneficial to learning. However, further intervention-based study of this topic is needed to determine if this relationship is causal.

Context matters! sources of variability in weekend physical activity among families: a repeated measures study

Background

Family involvement is an essential component of effective physical activity (PA) interventions in children. However, little is known about the PA levels and characteristics of PA among families. This study used a repeated measures design and multiple data sources to explore the variability and characteristics of weekend PA among families.

Methods

Families (including a ‘target’ child aged 9–11 years, their primary caregiver(s) and siblings aged 6–8 years) were recruited through primary schools in Liverpool, UK. Participants completed a paper-based PA diary and wore an ActiGraph GT9X accelerometer on their left wrist for up to 16 weekend days. ActiGraph.csv files were analysed using the R-package GGIR version 1.1–4. Mean minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) for each weekend of measurement were calculated using linear mixed models, and variance components were estimated for participant (inter-individual), weekend of measurement, and residual error (intra-individual). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated from the proportion of total variance accounted for by inter-individual sources, and used as a measure of reliability. Diary responses were summed to produce frequency counts. To offer contextual insight into weekend PA among family units, demographic, accelerometer, and diary data were combined to form two case studies representative of low and high active families.

Results

Twenty-five participants from 7 families participated, including 7 ‘target’ children (mean age 9.3 ± 1.1 years, 4 boys), 6 siblings (mean age 7.2 ± 0.7 years; 4 boys) and 12 adults (7 mothers and 5 fathers). There was a high degree of variability in target children’s (ICC = 0.55), siblings (ICC = 0.38), and mothers’ MVPA (ICC = 0.58), but not in fathers’ MVPA (ICC = 0.83). Children’s weekend PA was mostly unstructured in nature and undertaken with friends, whereas a greater proportion of parents’ weekend PA was undertaken alone in structured settings. The family case studies demonstrated that in the selected cases MVPA levels and variability across weekends were contingent on mode of PA participation.

Conclusions

These novel findings enhance understanding of the variability and characteristics of weekend PA among family units. The study demonstrates the utility of PA diaries in conjunction with accelerometers to provide understanding of the mode and contexts of out-of-school and family-based PA.

The Prospective Association of Organized Sports Participation With Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Children (the CHAMPS Study-DK)

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prospective association of organized leisure-time sports participation with cardiovascular risk in children.

METHODS

Students were recruited from 10 public primary schools. From July 2009 to October 2010, parents reported children's weekly organized leisure-time sports participation via text messaging. Clustered cardiovascular risk was estimated with a composite score comprising fasting serum triglyceride levels, homeostasis assessment model-estimated insulin resistance, total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and systolic blood pressure. Additional outcomes were body mass index categories and fasting serum insulin and glucose concentrations. Associations were explored with generalized estimating equations and reported with beta coefficients (β) and percent difference per weekly sports session or incidence rate ratios. All models were adjusted for baseline values and other potential confounders.

RESULTS

In total, 1197 children (53% female) with a mean age of 8.4±1.4 years were included. Participating in sports for 53 weeks was associated with lower clustered cardiovascular risk (β, -0.25; 95% CI, -0.41 to -0.10; percent difference, 3.2%; 95% CI, 5.2%-1.3%). Similar outcomes were observed for log homeostasis assessment model-estimated insulin resistance (β, -0.08; 95% CI, -0.12 to -0.04; percent difference, 3.4%; 5.1%-1.7%) and log insulin (β, -0.07; 95% CI, -0.11 to -0.04; percent difference, 2.6%; 95% CI, 4.0%-1.5%). Sports participation was associated with a 20% decreased risk of overweight/obesity (incidence rate ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.64-0.96).

CONCLUSION

Participating in organized leisure-time sports for approximately 1 year is associated with decreased clustered cardiovascular risk in children. These findings show that participating in youth sports may be an effective strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk in children.

Determinants of organised sports participation patterns during the transition from childhood to adolescence in Germany: results of a nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

Organised sports (OS) participation is an important health behaviour but it seems to decline from childhood to adolescence. The aim of this study was to investigate OS participation patterns from childhood to adolescence and potential determinants for those patterns.

METHODS

Data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) cohort study with a 6 year follow-up period were used (KiGGS0: 2003-06, KiGGS1: 2009-12). Participants aged 6-10 years at KiGGS0, who were aged 12-16 at KiGGS1, were included (n = 3790). The outcome variable was 'OS participation' between KiGGS0 and KiGGS1 with the categories 'maintenance' (reference), 'dropout', 'commencement' and 'nonparticipation'. Relative risk ratios (RRRs) were calculated using multinomial logistic regression to identify potential predictors for OS patterns. Socio-demographic, family-related, health-related, behavioural and environmental factors were considered as independent variables.

RESULTS

48.5 % maintained OS, 20.5 % dropped out, 12.3 % commenced OS between KiGGS0 and KiGGS1 and 18.7 % did not participate at both times. The RRRs for dropout rather than maintenance were 0.6 (95 % Cl 0.5-0.7) for boys versus girls, 1.5 (1.3-1.9) for the age group 8-10 versus 6-7 years, 0.7 (0.5-0.9) for high versus intermediate parental education, 1.4 (1.1-1.8) for low versus middle household income, 1.4 (1.0-1.8) for below-average versus average motor fitness. The RRRs for commencement rather than maintenance were 0.6 (0.5-0.8) for boys versus girls, 0.6 (0.5-0.8) for the age group 8-10 versus 6-7 years, 1.5 (1.1-2.1) for low versus intermediate parental education, 1.5 (1.1-2.0) for low versus middle household income, 0.7 (0.5-1.0) for no single-parent versus single parent family, 1.8 (1.3-2.5) for below-average and 0.6 (0.4-0.8) for above-average versus average motor fitness, and 1.4 (1.1-1.9) for high versus middle screen-based media use. The RRRs for abstinence rather than maintenance were 0.6 (0.4-0.7) for boys versus girls, 1.5 (1.1-2.0) for low versus intermediate parental education, 2.2 (1.7-2.8) for low and 0.6 (0.5-0.8) for high versus middle household income, 1.6 (1.2-2.1) for psychopathological problems versus no problems, 1.7 (1.3-2.2) for below-average and 0.4 (0.3-0.6) for above-average versus average motor fitness, and 1.6 (1.0-2.6) for rural versus metropolitan residential area.

CONCLUSIONS

OS participation rates among all children living in Germany need to be improved. More tailored offerings are needed which consider the preferences and interests of adolescents as well as a cooperation between public health actors to reduce barriers to OS.

Accelerometer-measured physical activity among adolescents in a multicultural area characterized by low socioeconomic status

PURPOSE

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe and analyze accelerometer-measured sedentary time and physical activity (PA) among adolescents in a multicultural area characterized by low socioeconomic status (SES).

METHOD

Seventh-graders (n=114 (girls n=66), mean age: 12.8±0.5 y) were recruited from three schools in a multicultural area of the city of Gothenburg, Sweden. Sedentary time and PA were measured with ActiGraph™ accelerometers.

RESULT

Of total wear-time, 70 (±6)% was sedentary, with girls being more sedentary than boys. Girls had less light PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) than boys. Similar patterns were shown during in-school and out-of-school hours. During wear-time, 53% had a mean of ≥60 min of MVPA per day, but only 6% of the girls and 24% of the boys were sufficiently physically active every day. Girls had more sedentary bouts of ≥10 min and fewer MVPA bouts of ≥5 min per day than boys. Those who participated in organized sports spent a mean of 15 more minutes of MVPA per day compared to those who did not. No association was observed between body mass index (BMI) and sedentary time and PA.

CONCLUSION

Only a few adolescents from a Swedish multicultural area characterized by low SES met the PA recommendations every day, and girls were more sedentary and less physically active than boys. Adolescents involved in organized sports had more of MVPA per day than their non-involved peers. Sedentary time and PA were not related to BMI.

Predictors of physical activity and sedentary behaviours among 11-16 year olds: Multilevel analysis of the 2013 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Wales

BACKGROUND

The present study investigated associations between individual- and school-level predictors and young people's self-reported physical activity (total activity and moderate-to-vigorous activity) and sedentary behaviours.

METHODS

Individual-level data provided by the 2013/14 cross-sectional survey 'Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Wales' were linked to school-level data within the 'HBSC School Environment Questionnaire'. The final sample comprised 7,376 young people aged 11-16 years across 67 schools. Multilevel modelling was used to examine predictors of total physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviours (screen-based behaviours).

RESULTS

Taking more physical activity (less than 5 days vs. 5 or more days per week), engaging in higher levels of MVPA (less than 4 hours vs. 4 or more hours per week) and reporting 2 or less hours of sedentary time were predicted by several individual level variables. Active travel to school positively predicted high levels of physical activity, however, gender stratified models revealed active travel as a predictor amongst girls only (OR:1.25 (95 % CI:1.05 - 1.49)). No school-level factors were shown to predict physical activity levels, however, a lower school socio-economic status was associated with a higher level of MVPA (OR:1.02 (95 % CI:1.01 - 1.03)) and a lower risk of sedentary behaviour (OR:0.97 (95 % CI:0.96 - 0.99)). A shorter lunch break (OR:1.33 (95 % CI:1.11 - 1.49)) and greater provision of facilities (OR:1.02 (95 % CI:1.00 - 1.05)) were associated with increased sedentary activity. Gender stratified models revealed that PE lesson duration (OR:1.18 (95 % CI:1.01 - 1.37)) and the provision of sports facilities (OR:1.03 (95 % CI:1.00 - 1.06)) were predictors of boy's sedentary behaviours only.

CONCLUSION

Shorter lunch breaks were associated with increased sedentary time. Therefore, while further research is needed to better understand the causal nature of this association, extending lunch breaks could have a positive impact on sedentary behaviour through the provision of more time for physical activity. The findings also suggest that active travel could offer a mechanism for increasing physical activity levels particularly amongst girls. Particularly, the design and evaluation of interventions to promote physical activity during school hours should employ a comprehensive approach, including a focus on school policies and behaviours both in and out of school hours.

Organized Sport Participation Is Associated with Higher Levels of Overall Health-Related Physical Activity in Children (CHAMPS Study-DK)

Introduction

Many children fail to meet international guideline recommendations for health-related activity (≥60 minutes/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA]), and intervention studies to date have reported negligible effects.

Objective

Explore the associations of organized leisure-time sport participation with overall physical activity levels and health-related physical activity guideline concordance.

Methods

This prospective cohort study was nested in the Childhood Health, Activity, and Motor Performance School Study Denmark. Study participants were a representative sample of 1124 primary school students. Organized leisure-time sport participation was reported via text messaging and physical activity was objectively measured over seven days with accelerometry. Associations between sport participation and physical activity level were explored with multilevel mixed-effects regression models and reported with beta coefficients (b) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR).

Results

Participants were 53% female, with mean(SD) age = 8.4(1.4) years. Boys were more active than girls (p<0.001), and physical activity levels and guideline concordance decreased with age (p<0.001). Soccer participation at any frequency was associated with greater overall MVPA (b[95% CI] = 0.66[0.20,1.13] to 2.44[1.44,3.44]). Depending on participation frequency, this equates to 5–20 minutes more MVPA on the average day and 3 to 15 fold increased odds of achieving recommended levels of health-related physical activity (aOR[95%CI] = 3.04[1.49,6.19] to 14.49[1.97,106.56]). Similar associations were identified among children playing handball at least twice per week. Relationships with other sports (gymnastics, basketball, volleyball) were inconsistent.

Conclusions

Many children, particularly girls and those in higher grade levels do not adhere to health-related physical activity recommendations. Organized leisure-time sport participation may be a viable strategy to increase overall health-related physical activity levels and international guideline concordance in children.