Determinants of student's physical activity: a 12-month follow-up study in Ningxia province

Physical literacy among chinese elementary school students: the mediating role of physical knowledge and physical competency

BACKGROUND

Physical literacy (PL) is pivotal for improving sedentary behaviors, enhancing intrinsic motivation for physical activity, and supporting the growth and development of adolescents. This study aims to measure the current situation and internal pathway of PL among Chinese elementary school students.

METHODS

This study was conducted from June to July 2022 and used multistage cluster sampling to select the study subjects. Questionnaire measurements were used to report the levels of PL among elementary school students and to explain the internal association among the various PL dimensions.

RESULTS

The average PL score among primary school students was 63.46 points. The qualification rates for PL in the three academic stages were 76.35%, 73.45%, and 59.17%, respectively. The study included 1499 boys (49.72%) and 1516 girls (50.28%). The average age was 9.04 ± 1.60 years. Physical motivation, physical competency and physical participation were positively associated with PL in each grade. Physical competency mediated the association between physical motivation and physical participation, explaining 56.40% of the effect.

CONCLUSION

The qualification rates for PL in grades 5-6 was lower than those of students in grades 3-4 and grades 1-2. Physical competency explained 56.40% of the association between physical motivation and physical participation.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity trajectories and academic achievement in Chinese primary school children: a 3-year longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Past cross-sectional studies have reported a positive association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and academic achievement in children and adolescents. Despite this, the influence of variations in MVPA over time on academic achievement remains yet to be definitively understood. Therefore, this study aims to track the patterns of MVPA and examine how they are associated with academic achievement over a three-year period among Chinese primary school students.

METHODS

The longitudinal study examined the MVPA and academic achievement of a cohort of 202 primary school children over a three-year period. MVPA was assessed via accelerometers and analysed using Compositional Data Analysis (CoDA). Academic achievement was quantified using standardised test scores in reading, mathematics, and language. Group-Based Trajectory Models (GBTMs) were used to identify patterns of MVPA. Covariates such as demographics, sleep duration, and attitudes towards sports were adjusted in the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEEs) used to examine associations with academic achievement. All statistical analyses were conducted using R and SAS 9.4 software.

RESULTS

This study identified three distinct MVPA trajectories: Low (74.8%), Decline (13.2%), and High (12.0%). At baseline, the High MVPA group had better academic achievement with mean scores of 89.8 in reading, 94.5 in mathematics, and 94.7 in language, compared to the Low MVPA group with mean scores of 80.4, 83.0, and 84.9, respectively. After adjustment for confounders, GEE models showed significant associations between MVPA trajectories and improved academic achievement. Compared to the Low MVPA group, the Decline MVPA group exhibited significant score increases in reading (β = 4.11, 95% CI: 1-7.21) and mathematics (β = 2.79, 95% CI: 0.09-5.5). The High MVPA group exhibited significant score increases in reading (β = 11.3, 95% CI: 7.93-14.67), mathematics (β = 12.32, 95% CI: 9.61-15.02), and language (β = 11.53, 95% CI: 8.99-14.06). Additionally, notable gender differences in MVPA trajectories were observed, and a positive association was found between favorable sports attitudes and improved academic achievement.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals three distinct MVPA trajectories among Chinese primary school children and demonstrates that those with high MVPA trajectories showcase superior academic achievements, particularly in reading, mathematics, and language. This highlights the vital role of MVPA in supporting academic excellence.

Outdoor recess is associated with more positive attitudes toward physical activity among pre-adolescent students and their parents

Introduction

School day structure has the potential to increase students' physical activity (PA) levels and form positive attitudes about PA. Including various PA opportunities and free play possibilities in the school schedule, especially outdoor recess, can improve students' moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) levels during school time. Therefore, the main aim of the study was to investigate students' and their parents' attitudes about outdoor recess and PA opportunities in schools with different recess opportunities.

Methods

Students from grades three to six (9-13-year-olds) and their parents responded to a questionnaire about the effect of outdoor recess and opportunities for PA during the school day. Schools were divided into three groups based on the recess opportunities during the school day: (1) "outdoor recess", (2) "outdoor recess on some days", (3) "indoor recess".

Results

Students and parents of the "outdoor recess" group had significantly more positive attitudes about outdoor recess and PA opportunities in school. Students of the "outdoor recess" group stated being significantly more active during their leisure-time compared to other groups. Parents of the "outdoor recess" group stated that the school has asked their opinion regarding PA opportunities during the school day significantly more compared to the other two groups.

Discussion

These findings emphasize the positive effect outdoor recess can have on students' PA beliefs and habits. Parents of the "outdoor recess" group also had more positive attitudes toward PA which is important as parents most likely convey their attitudes and beliefs to their children. In addition, involving and informing parents is critical when changing the school schedule and introducing new school culture, to make the changes last.

Impact of awareness of sports policies, school, family, and community environmental on physical activity and fitness among children and adolescents: a structural equation modeling study

BACKGROUND

Understanding the impact of environmental factors on physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) is crucial for promoting a healthy lifestyle among children and adolescents. This study examines how awareness of sports policies, school, family, and community environments influence PA and PF in Chinese youth.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 2747 children and adolescents (mean age 12.90 ± 2.49; 48.2% male) from 17 schools across five Chinese cities. Environmental factors were assessed via questionnaires, and PA levels were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). PF metrics, including BMI, waist-to-height ratio, grip strength, vertical jump, and 20-m shuttle run test (20-mSRT), were measured onsite. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to explore relationships between environmental factors and PA/PF outcomes.

RESULTS

The school environment scored highest (78.0 ± 9.5), while the community environment scored lowest (38.7 ± 18.0). Family environment positively influenced low-intensity PA (LPA) (β = 0.102, P < 0.001) but negatively affected moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (β = -0.055, P = 0.035). Community environment and awareness of sports policies positively impacted MVPA (β = 0.216, P < 0.001; β = 0.072, P = 0.009, respectively). Family environment positively influenced BMI reduction (β = -0.103, P < 0.001) but negatively affected grip strength (β = -0.063, P = 0.018). Community environment improved grip strength and 20-mSRT performance (β = 0.088, P = 0.002; β = 0.065, P = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

School environments, despite high scores, do not significantly impact PA and PF. Community environments, though scoring lower, positively affect MVPA, grip strength, and 20-mSRT. Awareness of sports policies boosts MVPA, while family environments support LPA and BMI but are inversely related to MVPA and grip strength. Integrated strategies involving community infrastructure, family support, and policy awareness are essential for promoting active lifestyles among children and adolescents.

What are the important factors influencing the physical activity level of junior high school students: a cross-sectional survey

Background

Engaging in regular physical activity has been consistently linked to improved physical health and academic performance. Despite its known benefits, there is a concerning trend of decreased physical activity among children globally. The study primarily aims to investigate the level of physical activity among junior high school students in Taiyuan and analyse the main affecting factors from a socio-ecological perspective.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 650 junior high school students from 7 schools in Taiyuan, and 648 valid questionnaires were ultimately collected. The data on students' physical activity levels were collected through the Children's Leisure Activities Study Survey Questionnaire, and the data on factors affecting students' physical activity were collected through the Student Perceived Factors Affecting Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results

In this study, students from the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades participated in physical activities, averaging 214.500 min per week in moderate-intensity and 25.000 min in high-intensity activities, cumulatively averaging 280.000 min weekly. Notably, a significant disparity (p = 0.012) was observed in the combined duration of moderate and high-intensity activities, with male students engaging more time compared to their female counterparts (307.500 vs. 255.000 min). This variance extended across different grades, particularly evident in 8th graders who recorded the highest weekly high-intensity activity duration (31.000 min) and overall physical activity time (320.500 min), surpassing the 7th graders(p = 0.007 for high-intensity activities). Furthermore, an exploratory factor analysis of a 32-item questionnaire, designed to identify determinants of physical activity, revealed six principal components. These components were found to positively correlate with both moderate and high-intensity physical activities.

Conclusion

Results emphasize that educational institutions and community programs should collaborate to offer engaging weekend physical activity programs. Schools should develop and implement tailored physical education curricula addressing gender and grade differences. Furthermore, schools and local governments should invest in high-quality sports equipment and facilities.

The effect of exercise intention on exercise behavior in the post-epidemic era: The moderator role of openness personality and the mediated role of exercise-induced feeling

Objective

Based on the theory of planned behavior, this study introduced personality traits and exercise-induced feelings and other third variables, aiming to explore the mechanism of personality traits and exercise-induced feelings between exercise intention and exercise behavior, and explore the internal mechanism of promoting exercise behavior of junior high school students.

Methods

This research adopts the Exercise Intention Questionnaire, Simple Big Five Personality Scale, Exercise-induced Feeling Inventory and Exercise Rating Scale, from the three cities of Anhui province 1,166 junior high school students selected from the group psychological measurement, and uses the SPSS23.0 and Process plug-in exercise intention in exercise behavior analysis of the direct and indirect effect.

Results

The results showed that: (1) Exercise intention significantly positively predicted exercise behavior (β = 0.265, t = 4.261, p < 0.01). (2) The moderating effect of openness personality between exercise intention and exercise behavior was significant (β = 0.093, t = 4.431, p < 0.01). (3) Exercise-induced feelings has a significant mediating effect on the relationship between exercise intention and exercise behavior regulated by openness personality.

Conclusion

Exercise intention can effectively predict exercise behavior, and the prediction level is affected by openness personality, and the moderating effect of openness personality is partially realized through the mediating variable of exercise-induced feelings.

Associations between Physical Fitness Index and Body Mass Index in Tibetan Children and Adolescents in Different High-Altitude Areas: Based on a Study in Tibet, China

Objective: To investigate the relationship between physical fitness index (PFI) and body mass index (BMI) of Tibetan children and adolescents in different high-altitude areas in Tibet, China. Methods: Using the stratified cluster sampling method, 3819 Tibetan children and adolescents from three different high-altitude areas including Nyingchi, Lhasa and Nagqu in the Tibet area of China were given grip strength, standing long jump, sitting forward bend, 50 m running and endurance running tests. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the physical fitness index in different high-altitude areas. In addition, the method of curve regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between PFI and BMI. Results: In general, the level of PFI in Nagqu, Tibet, China was lower than that in Nyingchi and Lhasa, and the levels of girls were generally lower than those of boys. The proportions of malnourished, normal, overweight and obese Tibetan boys in high-altitude areas were 11.8%, 79.7%, and 8.5%; those of girls were 3.3%, 82.3%, and 14.4%, respectively. The curve regression analysis showed that the model fitting of male Nyingchi, Lhasa, Nagqu and female Nyingchi, Lhasa, Nagqu were all significant (F values were 29.697, 34.709, 37.500, 9.123, 9.785, 6.939, p < 0.01). The relationship between BMI and PFI generally showed an inverted “U” curve relationship. Conclusion: The negative impact of overweight and obesity on physical fitness of Tibetan boys in high-altitude areas is significantly higher than that of girls, and the negative impact of overweight and obesity on physical fitness of boys in Lhasa and Nyingchi area is more significant than that in the Nagqu area. In the future, attention should be paid to Lhasa and the occurrence of overweight and obesity among Tibetan boys in Nyingchi area in order to prevent the sharp decline of physical fitness and promote the physical and mental development of Tibetan children and adolescents in high-altitude areas.

School-Based Physical Activity Intervention: A Qualitative Process Evaluation of a Feasibility Trial in Yangzhou, China

BACKGROUND

There is an urgent need for children in China to increase their physical activity levels. We first developed a 16-week school-based behavior change intervention based on the Behavior Change Wheel and Theoretical Domains Framework. We then conducted a cluster feasibility non-randomized controlled trial (RCT) among children in Yangzhou, China.

AIM

This qualitative process evaluation was embedded within the cluster feasibility non-RCT and aimed to: (1) explore the experiences and perceptions of participants and providers in the intervention and trial; and (2) generate recommendations to inform a future intervention and full-scale cluster RCT.

METHODS

A qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews with trial participants (n = 20 children: 10 intervention, 10 control), parents (n = 20), and health education providers (n = 2), was conducted in two public schools in Yangzhou, China. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated verbatim from Mandarin to English. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Findings believed to reflect experiences and perceptions of participants in the intervention and the trial are presented as eight major themes: (1) perceived high efficacy of the intervention components to help children become more active, (2) appreciation of the intervention features, (3) factors that facilitated or impeded intervention attendance and delivery, (4) positive experiences and feelings gained through the data collection process, (5) satisfaction regarding the organization and implementation of the trial, (6) influences of personal beliefs and emotional responses to the trial, (7) social influences on participatory decision-making, and (8) key barriers to consider regarding the recruitment of participants.

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention and trial methods were acceptable to children, parents, and health education providers. School-based behavior change intervention was perceived to be a useful approach to increase physical activity in children aged 10-12 years in China. However, there were barriers to intervention delivery and engagement that should be considered when designing a future cluster RCT to assess the intervention efficacy.