Sociodemographic Correlates of Organized Sports Participation in a Sample of Middle School Students in China

Exploring the sports participation, muscle-strengthening exercise and active commuting with comorbidity of depression and anxiety among Chinese children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Prior research has shown that physical activity (PA) is a crucial element for preserving and enhancing health, particularly among children and adolescents, and consistent engagement in PA offers numerous advantages for sustaining typical physical and mental well-being.

Purpose

Hence, the primary objective of this study was to examine the relationship between sport participation, muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE), and active commuting (AC) in the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety in Chinese children and adolescents.

Method

This cross-sectional investigation occurred in various cities across the southeastern region of China between March 2021 and October 2021. A convenient sampling method was utilized. We invited children and adolescents to participate in the questionnaire survey. A total of 1,996 participants completed the questionnaires with the endorsement of their parents or guardians under the supervision of schoolteachers and headmasters. Girls comprised 47.5% of the participants, and the average age of participants was 14.8 ± 2.0 years. We conducted a logistic regression analysis, including 95% confidence intervals, to explore the association between sports participation, MSE, AC, and the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety.

Results

No significant association was observed between weekday active commuting for travelling to and from school and MSE and the comorbidity of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents. A negative association was only detected for those who engaged in muscle-strengthening exercises 4 days a week (OR = 0.540, 95% CI = 0.345-0.845) compared to those who did not partake in such exercises.

Conclusion

The present study has provided evidence of the connection between sports participation and the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety among Chinese children and adolescents. Sports participation is more likely to help adolescents relieve anxiety and depression than AC, MSE. In forthcoming research, it is imperative to delve deeper into strategies that enhance the impact of sports on the mental well-being of children and young individuals. Furthermore, optimizing the magnitude of this effect may be achievable by focusing on neurobiological, behavioral, and psychosocial mechanisms.

The relationship between extracurricular sports participation and subjective well-being in junior high school students: a moderated mediation model

Objective

To investigate the direct effect of extracurricular sports participation on subjective well-being among junior high school students, and the mediating role of emotion regulation and moderating role of physical education (PE) class participation.

Methods

Using data from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), we analyzed the extracurricular sports participation, emotion regulation, subjective well-being, and PE class participation of 113,203 junior high school students.

Results

After controlling for country, gender, and health status, extracurricular sports participation significantly predicts subjective well-being. Emotion regulation mediates the relationship between extracurricular sports participation and subjective well-being. Both the direct effect of extracurricular sports participation on subjective well-being and the mediating effect of emotion regulation are moderated by PE class participation. The effect is stronger among students with high PE class participation compared to those with low participation.

Conclusion

There is a moderated mediation effect between extracurricular sports participation and subjective well-being among junior high school students. Emotion regulation mediates this relationship, while PE class participation enhances the impact of emotion regulation on subjective well-being.

24-hour movement behaviours and self-rated health in Chinese adolescents: a questionnaire-based survey in Eastern China

Objective

Although much evidence has demonstrated the benefits of adhering to the 24-hour movement guidelines, little is known about their association with self-rated health in adolescents. The objective of this study was to explore the association between adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines (i.e., physical activity, screen time, and sleep) and self-rated health among Chinese adolescents aged 10-17 ages.

Methods

A convenient sample of 12 schools and their students were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Physical activity and screen time were assessed using a questionnaire based on the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children questionnaire, while sleep duration was used measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Scale. Ordinal logistic regression was performed to examine the association between adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines and self-rated health.

Results

Adolescents who adhered to more guidelines contained in the 24-hour movement guidelines reported better self-rated health. A dose-response association was observed, with the odds ratio (OR) for adhering to all three = 11.26, 95% CI [4.82-26.35]; OR for meeting two = 1.62, 95% CI [1.25-2.12]; OR for meeting one = 1.16, 95% CI [0.98-1.38]) indicating a higher probability of better self-rated health with increasing adherence. Regarding adherence to specific combination of 24-hour movement guidelines, positive associations were found for adhering to all three recommendations (OR = 11.95, 95% CI [5.06-28.19]), only MVPA (OR = 4.96, 95% CI [2.82-8.72]), MVPA + screen time (OR = 5.50, 95% CI [3.02-9.99]), and MVPA + sleep (OR = 4.63, 95% CI [2.52-8.51]).

Conclusion

This study provides evidence supporting the association between adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines and better self-rated health among Chinese adolescents. Sufficient physical activity may be particularly important for promoting self-rated health in this population.

Associations of sport participation with subjective well-being: a study consisting of a sample of Chinese school-attending students

Purpose

Past studies have illustrated that the impact of sports participation on school-attending students' well-being plays a significant role in the life course of adolescence, which is a golden period for developing sound psychological qualities. However, the relationship between sports participation and subjective well-being is not clear, particularly in Chinese primary and middle schools. Therefore, the current study was aimed to explore the relationship between sports participation and subjective well-being in elementary and middle schools in China.

Method

All involved children and adolescents were asked to conduct a self-report of their sociodemographic factors (e.g., sex, grade, and age), independence, and outcomes. The survey involved a two-stage sampling design (district school). Besides, in order to examine the relationship between participation in sports and subjective well-being, a self-report questionnaire was used. Logistic regression with 95% confidence interval and odds ratios (ORs), was conducted to investigate the relationship between sports participation and subjective well-being.

Results

A total of 67,281 participants in total provided complete data for the final analysis of the current study. The percentage of boys and girls was 51.9% and 48.1%, namely. The current study found that compared with children who never participate in sports, those children who participated sports in 1-3 times a month, 1-2 times a week, and 3 times a week and above were more likely to enjoy better well-being. Compared with children who never participate in sports, those children who in every grade participated sports in 1-3 times a month, 1-2 times a week, and 3 times a week and above were more likely to achieve better well-being.

Conclusion

Our current study offered the positive effect of sports participation on children and adolescents' subjective well-being. For schools and governments, further studies are needed to focus on sports participation and positive feedback on adolescents' mental health, and the three parties' endeavors should be intervened.

The Relationship between Physical Fitness and Perceived Well-Being, Motivation, and Enjoyment in Chinese Adolescents during Physical Education: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between physical fitness (PF) level and Chinese middle-school students’ perceived well-being, motivation, and enjoyment. Method: In this study, the participants were randomly selected from 16 Beijing-based middle schools in China. In addition to the collection of demographic data (i.e., gender, age, and parental education), tools including the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, the Behavioural Regulation in Sport Questionnaire, and the Physical Activity Children’s Enjoyment Scale were employed for collecting data on other variables of well-being, motivation, and enjoyment, respectively. Results: A total of 1678 adolescents (M age = 14.66 years, SD = 1.80) participated in this study. According to the results, significant gender differences could be observed in the PF categories of mean age, BMI, vital capacity, 50-m sprint, muscular strength, and flexibility (all p < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant gender difference in the levels of well-being, motivation, and enjoyment observed, with similar scores for boys and girls (p > 0.05). Indeed, adolescents with low BMI scores and high levels of vital capacity, muscular strength, and flexibility showed better well-being, motivation, and enjoyment. However, no association was observed between timed sit-ups and pull-ups and well-being, motivation, and enjoyment. Conclusions: This study produced preliminary findings on the relationship between PF and Chinese adolescents’ perceived well-being, motivation, and enjoyment. To improve the health of adolescents, it is necessary to adopt prospective and experimental research designs for advocating for fitness education in school-based programs in future research.

Trends in sports participation in adolescents: Data from a large-scale sample in the US adolescents

Background

Although changes in overall physical activity (PA) have been identified in adolescents, the trend in sports participation is still understudied. It is widely believed that monitoring the changes in sports participation is conducive to promote the development of sports activities. The purpose of this research was to identify the changes in sports participation in adolescents over the past years.

Methods

This research selected secondary data from 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS). Logistic regression models were applied to discuss and analyze the secular changes across the years of data. The change differences in sports participation by sex, grade, and race/ethnicity were also explored via separate logistic regression.

Results

A declined overall trend could be observed in sports participation in adolescents, the prevalence of sport participation was 58.4% in 2011 and 57.4% in 2019. The declining trend was also observed in grades 10 (62.3% in 2011 and 57.9% in 2019) and 12 (52.5% in 2011 and 49.8% in 2019) adolescents, and an increase could be observed in grade 11 (56.2% in 2011 and 59.1% in 2019) adolescents, but few changes were found in grade 9 (61.4% in 2011 and 61.9% in 2019) adolescents. Only white adolescents reported an increasing prevalence of sports participation, slight declines in sports participation were observed in black or African American, Hispanic/Latino, and other adolescents.

Conclusions

The declining trend in sports participation could be seen in adolescents between 2011 and 2019, but it should also note that large variations of trends in sport participation by subgroups were also found.

Association between vigorous physical activity and life satisfaction in adolescents

Purpose

The association between overall physical activity (PA) and life satisfaction has been confirmed in adolescents. However, the associations between different forms of PA at various intensities and life satisfaction are under-studied. This study aimed to explore the association between vigorous PA (VPA) and life satisfaction, and whether the associations vary by gender and age.

Methods

Using data from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HSBC) investigation, the research samples of 11- to 15-year-old adolescents were included for further. The information on VPA was collected via two self-reported questions, including frequency per week and hours per week. Life satisfaction was assessed by a ladder of 0-10 scores, with being higher indicating better life satisfaction. Logistic models were carried out to analyse the association between VPA and life satisfaction among adolescents, and results were presented with odd ratio (OR) and associated 95% confidence interval.

Results

Among the 214,080 (49.2% male) adolescents studied, both boy and girl participants reporting higher frequency of VPA per week were more likely to be associated with higher life satisfaction (e.g., in boys, VPA for every day: OR = 1.054; in girls: VPA for every day: OR = 1.047). More hours of VPA was also associated with better life satisfaction in adolescents (in overall sample, 7 h or more: OR = 1.178).

Conclusions

In conclusion, this research provided evidence on the roles of VPA on life satisfaction among adolescents aged 11-15. Considering life satisfaction is regarded as an indicator of adolescents' psychological health development, our study supports and extends the evidence for the importance of VPA in adolescence.

Exploring the self-reported physical fitness and self-rated health, mental health disorders, and body satisfaction among Chinese adolescents: A cross-sectional study

Background

Physical activity (PA) and Physical fitness (PF) have received tremendous attention in the field of physical and mental health. However, limited attention has been given to the associations of self-reported physical fitness with some health-related outcomes. Given the COVID-19 pandemic is still active in many Chinese regions, assessing health-related physical fitness (HRPF) in adolescents using field-based assessment (such as a shuttle run for cardiorespiratory fitness) is unrealistic, therefore, this study was conducted via a self-reported questionnaire.

Purpose

The present cross-sectional study was aimed at delving into the relationship between self-reported physical fitness with self-rated health, depression, anxiety, and body satisfaction in adolescents. Three thousand eight hundred and seven study participants from 12 public schools in South-eastern China were recruited and 2,407 of them provided valid data on variables that this study needed for analysis.

Materials and methods

Study participants were asked to self-report their sociodemographic factors (e.g., sex, grade, age), independence, and outcomes. Generalized linear models were used to explore the associations of self-reported physical fitness (comprising general physical fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, speed and agility, and flexibility) with depression, anxiety, and body satisfaction. A total of 2,407 children and adolescents with a mean age of 13.82 (±2.1) years were included in the final study analysis.

Results

Higher self-reported levels of general physical fitness and cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with better self-rated health, and body satisfaction but with lower risks of depression and anxiety.

Conclusion

The current study offered evidence on the roles of self-reported physical fitness and health-related outcomes. To facilitate health in children and adolescents, advocating fitness education, and promotion could be a feasible approach.

Associations of sport participation, muscle-strengthening exercise and active commuting with self-reported physical fitness in school-aged children

Background

Numerous studies suggest a positive association between physical activity and physical fitness in schoolchildren. However, little is known about some neglected forms of physical activity and their associations with physical fitness. This study was conducted via a self-reported questionnaire, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in many regions in China.

Purpose

This study explores the associations between participating in sports, muscle-strengthening exercises, and active commuting with self-reported physical fitness assessed by the International Fitness Scale (IFIS).

Methods

A total of 3,807 study participants (ages 11–17) from 12 public schools in South-eastern China were recruited, with 2,407 providing valid data on variables for analysis. Study participants were asked to self-report their sociodemographic factors (i.e., sex, grade, age), participation in sports (never, 1–3 times per month, 1–2 times per week, and 3 or more times per week), muscle-strengthening exercise (0–7 days) and active commuting (0–5 days). Generalized linear models were used to explore the associations between sports participation, muscle-strengthening exercise, and active commuting with self-reported physical fitness (comprising general physical fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, speed and agility, and flexibility). A total of 2,407 children and adolescents with a mean age of 13.82 (±2.1) years were included in the study's final analysis.

Results

The study found no significant association between active commuting and physical fitness. Regarding participating in sports and muscle-strengthening exercises, positive, significant associations were found, which showed that a higher frequency of participating in sports and more participation in muscle-strengthening exercises are associated with improved physical fitness.

Conclusion

This study offered evidence on the roles of some aspects of physical activity in physical fitness. To promote health in children and adolescents, they should be encouraged to participate in more sports and engage in muscle-strengthening exercises.

The Association of Sports Participation With Depressive Symptoms and Anxiety Disorder in Adolescents

Aim

An increasing body of evidence has evidenced that physical activity is negatively associated with depression and anxiety in adolescents, although the associations between various modalities of PA with depression and anxiety have yet to be effectively explored. This study aimed to investigate the associations between sports participation and depression and anxiety among a sample of Chinese adolescents.

Methods

2,374 adolescents from eight schools were invited to participate in this survey, of whom 1,714 adolescents from grades 7, 8, 10 and 11 were included for final analysis. Depressive symptoms and anxiety disorder were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire−9 (PHQ-9), as well as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder−7 (GAD-7), respectively. Sport participation was assessed using a single question. Additionally, sociodemographic factors were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate sport participation's associations with depressive symptoms and anxiety disorders separately, having controlled for all sociodemographic covariates.

Results

Among all study participants, those with less participation in sport-related activities had a greater likelihood of reporting depressive symptoms (Odd ratio [OR] for never = 2.07; OR for 1–3 times per month = 1.77; OR for 1–2 times per week = 1.77), as well as anxiety disorders (OR for never = 1.61; OR for 1–3 times per month = 1.69; OR for 1–2 times per week = 1.38).

Conclusion

Encouraging adolescents to engage in more sports participation would provide an effective and feasible approach for mental health promotion. Despite this study having found promising evidence, the research findings should be replicated using more improved research with an enhanced study design. Future researchers are encouraged to design and implement sports participation interventions aimed at promoting mental health among adolescents, while future China-based studies are encouraged to replicate or negate our study findings.

Correlates of Meeting the Muscle-Strengthening Exercise Guidelines in Children and Adolescent

This study aimed to explore the potential correlates of muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) in Chinese children and adolescents. A convenient sample (n = 3733) was recruited into this study. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect information on sex, grade, ethnicity, residence, family composition, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), family income, parent's education level and MSE in children and adolescents as well as their parent(s). The prevalence of meeting the MSE guidelines was 62.1%. Children and adolescents who were in primary or middle school were more likely to meet the MSE guidelines ([primary school] OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.16-4.68; [middle school] OR = 4.62, 95% CI: 2.27-9.39). Children and adolescents with Han ethnicity had a higher likelihood to meet the MSE guidelines (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.37-2.83). Children and adolescents meeting the MVPA recommendation were more likely to meet the MSE guidelines (OR = 5.41, 95% CI: 3.97-7.37). Relative to those who had a parent not meeting the MSE guidelines, those with either father or mother meeting the MSE guidelines were more likely to meet the MSE guidelines (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13-1.55). Our study may offer evidence for future MSE interventions in Chinese children and adolescents.