Number of years of participation in some, but not all, types of physical activity during adolescence predicts level of physical activity in adulthood: Results from a 13-year study

Sports participation in childhood and adolescence and physical activity intensity in adulthood

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between sports participation in childhood and adolescence and the practice of physical activity at different intensities in adulthood, and to verify if some sports participation characteristics such as number of sports; type of sport (individual, collective or a combination of both) and total estimated sports participation time are associated with the different physical activity intensities in adulthood.

DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional study.

METHODS

This study included 129 young adults of both sexes aged 18-25 years. Sports participation in childhood (7-10 years) and adolescence (11-17 years) was retrospectively estimated through specific questionnaire. Light, moderate, vigorous and moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity was objectively estimated by accelerometers. To verify the association between SP in childhood and adolescence and BP intensities in adults, multiple linear regression was adopted, with 5% significance.

RESULTS

Analyses showed that, in females, sports participation in childhood (β = 0.315; R2 = 0.14; P = 0.020) and persistence in sports participation (β = 0.364; R2 = 0.18; P = 0.007) were positive predictors of vigorous physical activity in adulthood. In addition, the comparison according to the specificities of the sport practice, indicated that participation in two or more sports in childhood, one sport and collective sports in adolescence and at least one year of sports participation throughout childhood and adolescence were associated with longer time in vigorous physical activity intensity and MVPA (minutes/day) in adult females (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It could be concluded that sports participation indicators in childhood and adolescence were considered predictors of vigorous physical activity in adult females. In addition, number of sports, type of sport and practice time in childhood and adolescence seem to predict vigorous and moderate to vigorous levels of physical activity for adult females.

Association of Sports Practice in Childhood and Adolescence with Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Adulthood: A Retrospective Epidemiological Study

BACKGROUND

Practicing sports during childhood and adolescence provides benefits to cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) at these stages of life. However, it is not known whether these benefits to CAM persist into adulthood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the association of early sports practice (sports practice in childhood and/or adolescence) with CAM in adult life, regardless of habitual moderate-to-vigorous PA.

METHODS

The sample of the present study consisted of 242 adults (141 women and 101 men; age: 41.99 ± 16.24). The assessment of CAM was performed using heart rate variability indices. Sports practice in childhood and adolescence was assessed using a questionnaire. The intensity of physical activity was assessed using accelerometry. To analyze the association between previous sports practice (childhood and/or adolescence) and CAM, the Generalized Linear Model was adopted, considering CAM indices as continuous variables and early sports practice as a 3-fold factor (no sports practice; sports practice in childhood or adolescence; and sports practice in both childhood and adolescence) adjusted by sex, age, socioeconomic condition, and moderate to vigorous PA.

RESULTS

Sports practice in childhood was associated with the average standard deviation of all normal RR intervals expressed in milliseconds (SDNN): β = 5.89; 95%CI: 0.25;11.52, and the standard deviation of the long-term intervals between consecutive heartbeats (SD2): β = 7.63; 95%CI:1.04; 14.23 indices. Sports practice in adolescence was associated in adulthood with the SD2 index: β = 7.37; 95%CI: 0.71;14.04. Sports practice in at least one of the periods (childhood or adolescence) was significantly associated with the square root of the mean square of the differences between adjacent normal RR intervals for a period of time expressed in milliseconds (RMSSD) (β = 8.86; 95%CI = 0.71;17.01), and the standard deviation of the instantaneous beat to beat variability (SD1) (β = 6.21; 95%CI = 0.45;11.97). Sports practice at both stages of life was significantly associated with better SDNN (β = 7.70; 95%CI = 1.16;14.23) and SD2 (β = 10.18; 95%CI = 2.51;17.85).

CONCLUSION

Early sports practice was associated with better CAM in adulthood, independently of the current physical activity level. Based on these findings, sports practice is encouraged from childhood and adolescence, for benefits to CAM in adult life.

Does Participating in a Variety of Activities at a Variety of Locations or With Different People Predict Physical Activity Behavior Among Adolescents? The Mediating Role of Perceived Variety

We examine whether adolescents' participating in a variety of physical activities, locations, and/or with a variety of people relates to physical activity 16 months later and whether perceptions of variety mediate these relationships. Adolescents (N = 369) completed measures indicating various physical activities they participated in, where they primarily participated, and with whom they primarily participated, at three time points over a year (averaged for baseline measures). Perceptions of variety was measured 8 months later. Physical activity was measured 16 months after baseline. Mediation analyses tested perceptions of variety as a mediator of variety support and physical activity. Results indicated that variety of activities and variety of locations were indirectly associated with physical activity through perceptions of variety. Participating in a breadth of physical activities in a variety of locations during adolescence is positively associated with perceptions of variety, which relates to physical activity 16 months later.

The impact of early sports participation on body fatness in adulthood is not mediated by current physical activity

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to analyze the relationship between early sports participation (ESP) and body fatness (BF) in adults, as well as to identify whether this possible relationship is directly influenced by the current physical activity (PA) level.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study combined baseline data of two cohort. The BF estimated by DXA. The ESP, the subjects reported the engagement in sports during childhood (7-10 years) and adolescence (11-17 years) through two yes/no questions and current PA (described as steps) was device-measured using pedometers. Were identified as potential covariates and therefore adjusted the multivariate models: age, ethnicity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and sleep quality. Statistical analysis consisted of the chi-square test, analysis of variance/covariance, and structural equation modeling (software BioEstat version 5.0; p-value < .05).

RESULTS

Adults engaged in ESP had lower BF; among women, the variance in BF explained by ESP was 25.5%; among men, it was 9.2%. Sports participation in early life (r = -.436 [95% CI: -0.527 to -0.346]) and current PA (r = -.431 [95% CI: -0.522 to -0.340]) were inversely related to BF, as well as positively related to each other (r = .328 [95% CI: 0.226 to 0.430]). In the mediation model, current PA partially mediated (18.5%) the impact of ESP on BF, while current PA and ESP remained relevant determinants of BF.

CONCLUSION

Early sports participation and current PA have a significant impact on BF in adulthood, which is of similar magnitude and independent of each other.

Moving beyond moderate-to-vigorous physical activity: the role of light physical activity during adolescence

Regular physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle for young people. However, an estimated 80% of adolescents globally are insufficiently active. Traditionally, health benefits were attributed only to physical activity of at least moderate intensity, and recommendations focused on achieving a threshold of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, without consideration of other aspects of movement within the 24 h cycle. Recently, the overall daily balance of active and sedentary behaviours has gained recognition as an important determinant of health. However, the relationship between light intensity physical activity and health has not been fully explored. In this perspective paper, we discuss key challenges in defining, measuring and analysing light physical activity which have hindered the advancement of knowledge in this area. Next, we suggest three ways in which light physical activity may enhance adolescent wellbeing: firstly, by replacing sedentary behaviours to increase daily movement; secondly, by supporting the accumulation of higher intensities of physical activity; and thirdly, by providing positive experiences to facilitate lifelong engagement with physical activity. In highlighting the importance of light physical activity during adolescence, we aim to encourage critical reflection and the exploration of new approaches towards physical activity within public health and beyond.

Physical activity trajectories of different grade levels of male adolescents in association of academic performance and mental health

Regularly performed daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) is recommended to promote physical and mental health in adolescents. However, sedentary behavior has been reported with ever-increasing demand for competition without clear understanding of the relationship between PA and mental health and academic performance. Therefore, this study observed the changes in the amount PA in 6 grade levels in relation to mental health and academic performance. This study analyzed the amount of moderate and vigorous PA, sedentary time, mental health, and academic performance in male adolescents of 6 middle to high school grade levels by sedentary group (SG: 2 or less min/wk) and physical activity group (PG: 3 or more min/wk) groups depending on the days of weekly PA. The most weekly moderate and vigorous PA duration significant reduced by 29.4% (*P<0.01) and -43.8% (*P<0.01) for H2 in comparison to M1 in SG. The greatest increase in sitting duration 744.95±470.27 min/wk (*P<0.01) was shown by SG. Significant increase in loneliness degree was shown throughout the grade levels of M3 to H3 (2.41±1.08 to 2.50±1.06, *P<0.01) in SG. Degree of stress also significantly increased from M3 to H3 (2.69±0.98, *P<0.01 to 2.90±0.96, *P<0.01) in SG. Finally, perceived academic performance by the days of PA did not show clear difference between SG and PG. In conclusion, regularly performed PA male adolescents showed greater duration of moderate and vigorous PA without negatively influencing mental health and academic performance. Moreover, well controlled academic performance and sitting duration were shown.

Participation and enjoyment in Out-of-School activities during adolescence as predictors of activities in adulthood

This study examined associations between adolescents' participation in out-of-school activities and their participation in activities at age 26 (N = 1041, 50% girls, 77% White). More frequent adolescent participation in sports, arts, volunteer/community service, and religious activities increased the odds of participating in the same type of activity at age 26. Adolescents' enjoyment of activities partially explained the developmental continuity in activity participation. There was limited evidence that individuals' participation across different types of activities was associated. Finally, the diversity or breadth of adolescents' activity participation was associated with larger activity breadth at age 26. These findings suggest that adolescents' out-of-school activities help set the stage for participating in similar, but not different activities during young adulthood.

Body image self-conscious emotions get worse throughout adolescence and relate to physical activity behavior in girls and boys

Body image is a commonly-reported factor perpetuating declines in physical activity levels during adolescence. However, the evidence is predominantly qualitative, cross-sectional, and focused on girls. Furthermore, the affective dimension of body image has been overlooked compared to the perceptual (e.g., misrepresentations of body size) and cognitive (e.g., dissatisfaction) dimensions. Affective body image includes a range of self-conscious emotions including guilt, shame, envy, embarrassment, and authentic and hubristic pride. This study examined (i) body-related self-conscious emotions over time, and (ii) associations between body-related emotions and physical activity over five years during early-to-mid adolescence. Potential gender differences were also explored. Self-report data for this study were collected once a year over 5 years as part of the MATCH study. The main analyses involved mixed-effects modeling. Participants (n = 776, 55.8% girls) initially aged 12.6 (SD = 0.6) years who provided data on at least one occasion were included in the analysis. Girls reported higher body-related guilt, shame, envy, and embarrassment than boys, and boys reported higher hubristic pride than girls. Over five years from early to mid-adolescence, body-related shame, guilt, envy, and embarrassment significantly increased for boys and girls, authentic pride did not change, and hubristic pride increased for girls only. Controlling for gender and puberty status, body-related guilt, shame, and embarrassment were negatively, and body-related authentic and hubristic pride were positively, associated with physical activity over time. Body-related envy was not significantly related to physical activity. These findings suggest that adolescents express greater negative body-related self-conscious emotions over time. Since these were negatively related to physical activity, interventions focused on reducing negative body-related emotions and enhancing positive body-related emotions may be valuable in adolescence to help curb declining physical activity.

Can Sports Practice in Childhood and Adolescence Be Associated with Higher Intensities of Physical Activity in Adult Life? A Retrospective Study in Community-Dwelling Adults

INTRODUCTION

Investigating the determinants of physical activity (PA) is an important strategy for the promotion of healthy lifestyles, mainly with PA of a moderate-to-vigorous intensity, which provides several health benefits in adulthood. In this sense, it is not clear whether early sports practice (ESP) during childhood and adolescence could be associated with the habitual practice of PA of higher intensities in adulthood.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the association of ESP in childhood and adolescence with different intensities of habitual PA in adulthood.

METHODS

A sample of 264 community-dwelling adults were randomly selected (42.2 ± 17.0 years, 57.5% of women). ESP during childhood and adolescence was evaluated using retrospective questions. Weekly minutes of PA were assessed using accelerometry and classified according to intensity as light, moderate, moderate-to-vigorous, vigorous and very vigorous. The association of ESP with a high level of PA (above median) in each intensity was analyzed using binary regression models.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ESP was 42.8% in childhood and 49.2% in adolescence. ESP in childhood was associated with a high level of very vigorous (OR: 2.48, p < 0.001) and vigorous PA (OR: 2.91, p < 0.001) in adulthood, but lost significance after adjustments by sex and age. ESP in adolescence was associated with a high level of very vigorous PA (OR: 1.99, p = 0.013) in the crude model and vigorous PA (OR: 2.21, p = 0.006), even after adjustments by age, sex and socioeconomic status.

CONCLUSIONS

Engagement in sports practice during adolescence was associated with high levels of vigorous PA in adulthood and is an important period for healthy lifestyle promotion.

Study protocol of "From Science 2 School"-prevalence of sports and physical exercise linked to omnivorous, vegetarian and vegan, diets among Austrian secondary schools

The increasing prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle choices contribute to almost all chronic conditions negatively affecting individual and public health. As the most beneficial preventative solution, a healthy lifestyle focusing on the dual approach of physical activity (PA) and a healthful diet is highly recommended. Considering the growing number of people interested in sustainable, plant-based diets, it seems crucial to analyze lifestyle behaviors with a special focus on diet type to delve deeper into the unenthusiastic health status among young populations. Therefore, this multidisciplinary study aims to survey and scale health behaviors with a special focus on the prevalence of traditional and vegetarian diets in connection with PA levels among Austrian pupils (10-19 years), teachers and principals in secondary education levels I and II. Following a cross-sectional design, sociodemographic and school-related data along with a complete profile of lifestyle behaviors, including detailed information regarding diet, PA, sports & exercise, and other health-related behaviors, were collected using online-based questionnaires. A total number of 8,845 children/adolescents (~1.2% of the eligible 771,525 Austrian secondary school pupils) and 1,350 adults (~1.5% of total eligible 89,243 Austrian teachers/principals) participated in the study. As this is the first investigation to explore the prevalence of veganism/vegetarianism amongst a large group of pupils, the present study will add an important contribution to overcome the lack of knowledge on PA, sports & exercise linked to healthy alternative diets. With a sustainable healthy lifestyle, a healthy transition from childhood to adulthood occurs, which can result in growing healthier functioning generations at all social levels. As a study protocol, the present article is intended to present comprehensive details of the study design, objectives, and the associated analytical procedures of the "From Science 2 School" study.

Description of sport participation profiles and transitions across profiles during adolescence

Few studies describe sport participation profiles in the general population using multiple characteristics. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify sport participation profiles during adolescence and to describe transitions across profiles from grades 5 to 12 (age 10 to 18 years). We used data from 916 participants (55% girls; age 10-12 years at inception) of the Monitoring Activities of Teenagers to Comprehend their Habits (MATCH) study. Participants self-reported involvement in 36 organized and unorganized physical activities three times/year from grades 5 to 12 (24 data collection cycles; 2011-2018). At each school grade, we derived four categorical variables of sport involvement: number of organized sports, number of unorganized activities, weekly sessions, and number of year-round activities. To identify sport participation profiles, we used latent class analysis at each grade. To characterize transitions between sport participation profiles across grades, we used latent transition analysis. Five distinct sport participation profiles emerged: "non-participants", "unorganized activities only", "single-sport low frequency", "single sport high frequency", and "multi-sport". Only "multi-sport" participants were unlikely to be classified as "non-participants" over time. Encouraging multi-sport participation might help protect against later non-participation. This study helps identify important times to intervene for improving physical activity levels.

Relationship between Smartphone Addiction and Sleep Satisfaction: A Cross-Sectional Study on Korean Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep satisfaction in 54,948 Korean adolescents. This study utilized the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey (KYRBS). The dependent variable was sleep satisfaction. Independent variables were smartphone addiction level and usage time. Gender, school grade, stress, depression, regular physical activity (PA), asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis were selected as confounding variables. A chi-squared test, logistic regression, and independent t-test were performed for data analysis. As a result of the chi-squared test, sleep satisfaction showed significant relationships with all confounding variables (all p < 0.001). As a result of adjusting all confounding variables, sleep satisfaction of smartphone normal users was significantly higher (odds ratios: 1.372, p < 0.001) than that of high-risk users with smartphone addiction. Smartphone users with a daily smartphone usage time from 2 h to 8 h a day were 1.096−1.347 times (p = 0.014 to p < 0.001) more likely to be satisfied with their sleep than smartphone users with a daily smartphone usage time over 8 h, who were unsatisfied with their sleep. The group that was not satisfied with their sleep had a significantly higher average daily smartphone usage time and total score on the smartphone addiction scale than the group that was satisfied with their sleep (both p < 0.001). In conclusion, it will be necessary to manage the use of smartphones to improve the sleep satisfaction of Korean adolescents.

Teenage Sport Trajectory Is Associated With Physical Activity, but Not Body Composition or Blood Pressure in Early Adulthood

PURPOSE

Commonly held hypotheses in practice suggest that compared to single-sport participation, multi-sport participation is associated with higher physical activity (PA) levels and health benefits in the long term. To verify this in the general population, we identified sport participation trajectories during adolescence and examined their associations with PA and health outcomes in young adulthood.

METHODS

Participants (n = 655) from the Nicotine Dependence in Teens study self-reported sport involvement up to four times per year from age 12 to 17 years. At age 24, PA was assessed using questionnaires and accelerometers, and body composition (i.e., body mass index, waist circumference, skinfold thickness) and blood pressure were measured objectively. We used group-based trajectory modeling to identify sport participation trajectories from age 12 to 17. Associations between trajectories and outcomes in early adulthood were estimated in multivariable linear regression models.

RESULTS

We identified four sport participation trajectories during adolescence: non-participants (n = 148, 22%), dropouts (n = 133, 21%), single-sport (n = 248, 37%), and multi-sport participation (n = 126, 20%). Compared to non-participation, multi-sport participation during adolescence was associated with higher self-reported PA in early adulthood (β [95% confidence interval] = 0.26 [0.00-0.52], MET-minutes/week). No association was detected between sport trajectories and accelerometer-measured PA, body composition or blood pressure in early adulthood.

DISCUSSION

Our results partially support models suggesting the existence of distinct sport participation trajectories during adolescence and that multi-sport participation is associated with higher self-reported PA levels in adulthood. Our results do not support that sport participation trajectories during adolescence are linked to lower blood pressure or healthier body composition in adulthood.

Adolescents' Physical Activity and Psychological Adjustment Across the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus dramatically changed daily life and created many obstacles for adolescents to engage in physical activity (PA). This study tracked rates of self-reported PA and examined its impact on adjustment among adolescents during the first 14 months of the pandemic. Canadian adolescents (N = 1068, 14-18 y, meanage = 16.95 y) reported on their frequency of PA, context of activity, and adjustment across 4 time points (April 2020 to June 2021). In line with our hypothesis, higher average levels of vigorous PA across the pandemic predicted less anxiety and depression and higher self-esteem at our study's end. Vigorous PA also buffered the relationships COVID-19 stress had with anxiety and self-esteem. The results further support recommendations for PA throughout the pandemic and while dealing with lockdown situations.

The Association between Physical Activity and Smartphone Addiction in Korean Adolescents: The 16th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey, 2020

Many side effects of smartphone addiction have been reported, such as a lack of sleep, obesity, and poor concentration. However, the relationship between physical activity (PA) and smartphone addiction has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between physical activity and smartphone addiction among 53,534 Korean adolescents using raw data from the 16th (2020) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS). The dependent variables were the general user group, potential risk user group, and high-risk user group for smartphone addiction. The independent variables were moderate PA (over 5 days per week), vigorous PA (over 3 days per week), and strength exercise (over 3 days per week). Sex, body mass index (BMI), school grade, academic achievement, sleep satisfaction, depression, loneliness, and stress were selected as confounding variables. A complex sample logistic regression analysis was performed. Potential smartphone addiction risk users showed statistically significant odds ratios of 1.423 (p < 0.001), 1.379 (p < 0.001), and 1.383 (p < 0.001) based on general users participating in moderate PA, vigorous PA, and strength exercise, respectively. High-risk users showed statistically significant odds ratios of 1.475 (p < 0.001), 1.484 (p < 0.001), and 1.619 (p < 0.001), respectively. In conclusion, to prevent smartphone addiction among Korean adolescents, participation in moderate PA for more than five days a week, vigorous PA for more than three days a week, or strength exercise for more than three days a week is considered effective.

Effects of Movement Behaviors on Overall Health and Appetite Control: Current Evidence and Perspectives in Children and Adolescents

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To present the definitions and recommendations for movement behaviors in children and adolescents, including physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviors (SB), and sleep, and to provide an overview regarding their impact on health and obesity outcomes from childhood to adulthood, as well as interactions with appetite control.

RECENT FINDINGS

PA represents a variable proportion of daily energy expenditure and one can be active with high SB or vice versa. Studies have described movements across the whole day on a continuum from sleep to SB to varying intensities of PA. More PA, less SB (e.g., less screen time) and longer sleep are positively associated with indicators of physical health (e.g., lower BMI, adiposity, cardiometabolic risk) and cognitive development (e.g., motor skills, academic achievement). However, less than 10% of children currently meet recommendations for all three movement behaviors. Movement behaviors, adiposity, and related cardiometabolic diseases in childhood track into adolescence and adulthood. Furthermore, low PA/high SB profiles are associated with increased energy intake. Recent studies investigating energy balance regulation showed that desirable movement behavior profiles are associated with better appetite control and improved eating habits. Early identification of behavioral phenotypes and a comprehensive approach addressing all key behaviors that directly affect energy balance will allow for individual strategies to prevent or treat obesity and its comorbidities. Investigating exercise as a potential "corrector" of impaired appetite control offers a promising weight management approach.

Long-term effects of adolescent sport experience, DRD2 and COMT genes, and their interaction on sport participation in adulthood

BACKGROUND

The present study investigated the joint impact of adolescent sport experience and dopamine-related genes (i.e., DRD2 and COMT genes) on sport participation in adulthood.

METHODS

Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) data, the hierarchical multivariable logistic regression models for predicting sport participation in wave 3 (around 20 years of age) and wave 4 (around 30 years of age) were conducted separately by gender (male and female) and gene (DRD2 and COMT genes).

RESULTS

Adolescent sport experience significantly interacted with the number of DRD2 A1 alleles and COMT Met alleles in affecting wave 3 sport participation among male adults. The interaction between adolescent sport experience and DRD2 gene significantly affected wave 4 sport participation in opposite direction to that affected wave 3 sport participation among male participants. Among female participants, there were no significant interaction effects between dopamine-related genes and adolescent sport experience on sport participation in both wave 3 and 4.

CONCLUSIONS

Since adult sport participation is most likely to be influenced by the joint impact of environmental and genetic factors, it is important to consider gene-by-environment interactions when designing policies or programs to promote adult sport participation.

Aiming at Optimal Physical Activity for Longevity (OPAL)

Although even small volumes (15–20 min) of daily physical activity (PA) are associated with health benefits, the optimal volume for healthy aging and longevity is substantially larger, amounting to about 100 min of daily moderate PA. The accomplishment of this objective likely requires the development of an appropriate PA lifestyle at an early age. Research initiatives are necessary addressing the motivational contribution of families, school surroundings and sport clubs, perhaps combined with role model effects and instructions for the specific implementation. Such approaches would need an enlarged agreement in readdressing this new aim followed by the launch of a new research strategy in order to develop specific offers for the respective age cohorts.

Physical Activity in Adolescents with and without Type 1 Diabetes during the New Zealand COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown of 2020

Physical activity (PA) is an important part of lifestyle management for adolescents with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Opportunities for PA were reduced by COVID-19 restrictions. Therefore, the purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare PA among adolescents with and without T1D during the first New Zealand (NZ) COVID-19 lockdown. PA levels of adolescents aged 11-18 years with T1D (n = 33) and healthy controls (n = 34) were assessed through self-reported and parent proxy-reported questionnaires. Overall, PA levels during lockdown were below recommended levels. PA levels did not differ between T1D and control participants (p = 0.212) nor between genders (p = 0.149). Younger adolescents tended to be more active than older adolescents (p = 0.079). PA level was negatively associated with BMI z-score (r = -0.29, p = 0.026) but was not associated with socioeconomic status (SES) or T1D-related parameters. In the T1D group, higher HbA1c was associated with lower school decile (r = -0.58, p < 0.001) and higher BMI z-score (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). Overall, young people were insufficiently active during lockdown, and some sub-groups were more affected than others by the restrictions. Pandemics are likely to be part of our future, and further studies are needed to understand their impact on the health and wellbeing of adolescents.

Body mass index, physical activity, and physical fitness of adolescence

Background: Adolescents experience growth and significant changes in body composition which influence physical activity and response to sport or exercise. The level of physical fitness in adolescent girls is usually lower than that of boys, due to differences in body composition and levels of physical activity. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between fat mass percentage, body composition, physical activity, and physical fitness.

Design and Methods: This study used an analytical observational, and cross-sectional design with total samples consisting of 70 male and female students aged 14-15 years. They were selected through simple random sampling, and the data collected were anthropometric measurements, body composition, physical activity and physical fitness. In addition, the Pearson correlation test was used for data analysis.

Results: The results showed that 68.57% of participants had a normal body mass index, 74.3% had moderate physical activity, and 44.28% had fat mass percentage including an obesity category and, 54.29% had low physical fitness. Furthermore, the Pearson test showed a significant relationship between physical activity, body mass index and fat mass percentage with physical fitness.

Conclusions: An increased fat mass percentage is associated with decreased levels of physical fitness. Furthermore, a good determinant of low physical fitness in obese conditions is the percentage of fat mass rather than BMI.

Long-term trends in the somatic and motor characteristics of female students at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland (2000-2018)

AIM

The aim of this study was to describe changes in the anthropometric and motor characteristics of female students attending the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn between 2000 and 2018.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 4046 randomly selected female university students aged 19-21 years (20.1 ± 1.2) were investigated. The students' body mass and height were measured, and their motor abilities were analyzed in 13 tests. Linear and curvilinear functions were fit to empirical data to assess the evaluated traits.

RESULTS

The results of the long-term study indicate that the body height of female students increased by 3.07 cm between 2000 and 2018. A decrease in the participants' body mass and BMI was noted between 2000 and 2006 (by 0.24 kg and 0.18 kg/m² per year on average), whereas an increase was observed between 2006 and 2018 (by 0.34 kg and 0.10 kg/m² per year on average). The tested motor abilities were highly correlated with body mass, BMI and, partially, with body height. The students' motor abilities continued to improve until 2006, after which they declined steadily up to 2018 when the lowest results were noted in motor tests.

CONCLUSIONS

The body height of the studied population continued to increase over the years, but it increased at a slower rate than body mass and BMI. Lower body mass and BMI values were correlated with improved scores in motor tests, whereas higher values of both parameters were accompanied by a significant decrease in all analyzed motor abilities.

Youth Sports Participation Is More Important among Females than Males for Predicting Physical Activity in Early Adulthood: Iowa Bone Development Study

A gender difference in youth sports and physical activity participation is well documented. However, research is limited to understand potential gender difference in the long-term effects of youth sports participation. The study aim was to compare the likelihood of meeting the aerobic Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG) in early adulthood by youth sports participation patterns among females and males. The study sample included 582 Iowa Bone Development Study participants (Iowa, USA). Participation in organized sports was assessed using a physical activity questionnaire 19 times on average between age 6 and 17 years. Accelerometer and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessments were conducted at an average age of 23 years. Group-based trajectory analysis was conducted to identify youth sports participation trajectory patterns. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between youth sports participation patterns and meeting the PAG in adulthood. We identified three youth sports participation patterns: "continuous participation," "drop-out," and "no participation." Females in the continuous participation group were more likely to meet the aerobic PAG at age 23 years, compared to females in the no-participation group (OR = 2.63; 95% CI = 1.05, 6.55) or the drop-out group (OR = 2.55; 95% CI = 1.38, 4.69). However, among males, youth sports participation patterns were not significantly associated with meeting the aerobic PAG at age 23 years. In conclusion, this study suggests that youth sports participation could be more important among females than males for predicting physical activity in early adulthood.

Physical inactivity during leisure and school time is associated with the presence of common mental disorders in adolescence

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of physical inactivity in leisure and school time with common mental disorders during adolescence.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 73,399 adolescents (12-17 years old), participants in the Estudo de Riscos Cardiovasculares em Adolescentes (Erica - Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents). This cross-sectional, national and school-based study was conducted in 2013 and 2014 in Brazilian municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. Leisure time physical activity was categorized according to weekly practice volume, and adolescents were classified as active (≥ 300 minutes/week), inactive (0 minute/week) and insufficiently active (1-299 minutes/week). Sports practice and participation in physical education classes at school were also analyzed. The presence of common mental disorders was assessed based on the general health questionnaire, with a cutoff point greater than or equal to 3. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

The chance of common mental disorders was 16% higher in the group that reported being inactive (0 minute/week) at leisure time (OR = 1.16; 95%CI 1.06 (1.27). The prevalence of common mental disorders was higher among young people who did not practice sports (37.2% vs. 25.9%; OR = 1.14; 95%CI 1.04-1.25) and did not participate in physical education classes at school (39.5% vs. 29.6%; OR = 1.25; 95%CI 1.15-1.36). Insufficient physical activity (1-299 minutes/week) did not increase the OR of common mental disorders. Practicing physical activity during leisure time, regardless of duration and weekly frequency, reduced the chances of common mental disorders in this population by 26%.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical inactivity during leisure and school time is associated with the presence of common mental disorders in adolescence. The results suggest that sports practice, school physical education and physical activity during leisure time, even without reaching the current recommendation, are related to the mental health of young people.

Youth Participatory Action Research for Health Equity: Increasing Youth Empowerment and Decreasing Physical Activity Access Inequities in Under-resourced Programs and Schools

To address gaps in the youth participation and adolescent physical activity (PA) promotion literature, we examined the feasibility of youth participatory action research (YPAR) in (a) general aftercare (YPAR only) and (b) with a physical activity intervention, (YPAR + PA) to reach marginalized youth and impact individual empowerment and second-order change for equitable PA access. We intervened during middle school, a developmental stage conducive to changing health habits. We used a concurrent, mixed-method triangulation design. Participants were students (94% non-Hispanic Black/African American, 75% free/reduced lunch) in the southeastern United States. YPAR was adapted from online modules. Youth conducted photovoice, capturing and analyzing social/environmental factors contributing to inequities in their schools/programs. PA inequities emerged for girls. Findings indicated feasibility of YPAR with systems supports. Changes occurred at the individual and systems level in the YPAR + PA program. Sociopolitical skills, participatory behavior, and perceived control empowerment subdomains increased pre-post, and youth qualitative responses aligned. A follow-up interview with the director revealed all youth-proposed changes occurred. A feedback loop was developed for continued youth input. Youth-led changes to increase PA access have potential to decrease health disparities by generating unique solutions likely missed when adults intervene alone.

Impact of sports participation on incidence of bone traumatic fractures and health-care costs among adolescents: ABCD - Growth Study

Objective: To analyze the risk of bone traumatic fractures according to the engagement in sports, as well as to identify the potential impact of sports participation and traumatic fractures on health-care costs among adolescents. Methods: This is a longitudinal 12-month study of 285 adolescents of both sexes in Brazil. We assessed the occurrence of traumatic fractures and health-care services (hospitalizations, medicine use, medical consultations, and exams) by phone contact every month for 12 months. Adolescents were divided into four groups according to sport characteristics: non-sport (n = 104), non-impact sport (swimming [n = 34]), martial arts (n = 49 [judo, karate, kung-Fu]) and impact sports (n = 98 [track-and-field, basketball, gymnastics, tennis, and baseball]). Results: The incidence of new fractures was 2.1%. The overall costs accounted during the 12-month follow-up were U$ 3,259.66. Swimmers (US$ 13.86) had higher health-care costs than non-sport (US$ 1.82), martial arts (US$ 2.23), and impact sports (US$ 2.32). Conclusion: swimming seems to be related to higher health-care costs among adolescents.

Physical Activity and Breast Cancer: Focusing on High-Risk Subgroups and Putting Recommendations in Context

While it is well-established that physical activity is associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer, most studies have been conducted in populations at an average underlying breast cancer risk. In this issue of Cancer Research, Kehm and colleagues present compelling evidence that adulthood physical activity is beneficial across the risk spectrum, including among women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. These findings are significant because women who are at a higher baseline risk are not engaging in sufficient physical activity to meet current guidelines but may be more motivated to do so knowing that they, like women in the general population, may benefit.See related article by Kehm et al., p. 116.

Youth sports participation and health status in early adulthood: A 12-year follow-up

Examining association between serial participation in youth organized sports (OS) and concurrent cardiometabolic risk factors, with long-term health status, will aid understanding the role of OS participation. Combining data from a prospective study and a follow-up survey, we aimed to determine association between youth OS participation and cardiometabolic risk factors with health and physical activity (PA) in young adulthood. Cardiometabolic risk factors were monitored yearly, and OS involvement through middle school, high school, and college, together with current status was recorded 12 years after the initial study began; 462 participants completed follow-up. Cardiometabolic risk factors included: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, fasting glucose and insulin. Participants continuing OS participation from middle to high school and/or college had significantly lower BMI/BMI z-scores [24.7 vs 27.4 (p < 0.05) and 0.51 vs 0.82 (p < 0.05), respectively] and significantly higher HDL [48.7 vs 45.4 (p ≤ 0.05)] than those without OS participation after middle school. Waist circumference of females was significantly smaller in those who participated in OS from middle to high school and/or college (84.9 cm) compared to those who had no OS (92.1 cm), (p < 0.05). Participants continuing OS from middle to high school and/or college reported significantly higher follow-up PA levels than those who had no OS after middle school (p < 0.001). This study provides novel data showing serial participation in OS from middle to high school and/or college was associated with a superior cardiometabolic health profile in school and increased PA levels at 12-year follow-up.

Participation in Non-professional Sports and Cardiovascular Outcomes Among Adolescents: ABCD Growth Study

OBJECTIVES

Sports are an important way to improve health during adolescence. However, it is still unclear whether the association between sports, blood pressure, and metabolic profile could be affected by sex, biological maturation, and trunk fatness. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between sports participation and the cluster of cardiovascular markers among adolescents of both sexes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study involving 285 adolescents aged from 11 to 17 years of age (202 boys and 83 girls). Cardiovascular variables were composed of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), resting heart rate (RHR), and carotid (CIMT) and femoral (FIMT) intima-media thickness, which were used to calculate the Cardiovascular_{Z score}. Sports participation was assessed through a face-to-face interview. Age of peak height velocity (APHV) was used as a covariate.

RESULTS

Among girls, the group engaged in sports presented lower values of RHR (sport: - 0.344 [95% CI - 0.650 to - 0.037] versus non-sport: 0.540 [95% CI 0.125 to 0.954]) and Cardiovascular_{Z score} (sport: - 0.585 [95% CI - 1.329 to 0.159] versus non-sport: 0.879 [95% CI - 0.127 to 1.884]), explaining 12.2% and 6.1% of all variance, respectively. Among boys, the group engaged in sports presented lower values of DBP (sport: - 0.158 [95% CI - 0.335 to 0.018] versus non-sport: 0.160 [95% CI - 0.091 to 0.412]) and FIMT (sport: - 0.128 [95% CI - 0.300 to - 0.044] versus non-sport: 0.211 [95% CI - 0.032 to 0.454]), explaining 2.2% and 2.6% of all variance, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

Adolescents engaged in sports presented healthier cardiovascular parameters, and sports participation seems to affect cardiovascular health differently in boys and girls.

Longitudinal Trends in Sport Participation and Retention of Women and Girls

Measurement and analysis of sport participation data is vital to understand trends, and therefore to make informed decisions relating to sport policy and strategies to get more people active through sport. This study identified patterns of club sport participation, retention and drop-out of women and girls over a 7 year period in a popular team sport in Australia. The study included registered women and girls of all ages (4–96 years at baseline) in an almost exclusively female sport, with a particular focus on the ages 4–14 years where most participation occurs. All commencing participants in the base year (2010) were tracked over the 7 year period. Participants were classified in two ways: the total number of years they played and their overall pattern of participation. Differences between age groups were analyzed using Kruskall Wallis and Mann Whitney tests. Registration records of 29,225 participants were analyzed in the study. Overall, there were considerable differences in the years participating in the sport. Almost one third (30%) of commencing 4–9 year olds played continuously for the 7 years. This proportion diminished through ages at commencement from 10 to 19, reaching a low point of 4% for ages 15–19, then rebounded slightly, reaching 7% for ages 30+. The proportion who dropped out during the 7 year period and did not return varied with age in the converse manner, as did the proportion of single-year players. The optimal age of entry to sport for retention in participation was 6–9 years. Consideration needs to be given to the age appropriateness of sports programs for very young participants. Strategies specifically relating to retention of girls and young women during adolescence should be developed.

Sampling sports during adolescence, exercise behaviour in adulthood, and the mediating role of perceived variety in exercise

Objective: Physical activity levels decline from adolescence to adulthood, but participation in a variety of sports during childhood and adolescence (i.e., sampling) may increase physical activity behaviour during adulthood. We examined the association between sampling sports during adolescence and moderate-vigorous exercise behaviour in adulthood, and we assessed whether this relationship is mediated by perceived variety in exercise. Design: Study 1- prospective longitudinal; Study 2- cross-sectional. Our main outcome was exercise behaviour. Results: In study 1 (n = 775), sampling more sports during adolescence (b = .25, p < .01; 95% CI [.12, .39]) predicted increased frequency of exercise behaviour in young adulthood. In study 2 (n = 108), sampling more sports in adolescence (β = .08, p = .03; 95% CI [.03, .17]) was indirectly associated with exercise behaviour in adulthood through perceived variety in exercise. Conclusion: These findings add to the evidence that sampling sports during adolescence is positively associated with moderate-vigorous exercise during adulthood, and the experience of variety may, in part, explain this relationship. This research generates new hypotheses regarding a potential psycho-social mediator (perceived variety in exercise) of the sampling-exercise behaviour relationship.

Physical activity maintenance and metabolic risk in adolescents

Aim

Examine the association between child and adolescent physical activity maintenance categories and metabolic profile in adolescence.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1152 adolescents (57.4% female) aged 10-16 years from Londrina, Brazil. Physical activity was self-reported in childhood (7-10 years old, retrospective data) and adolescence through questionnaires. Cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m shuttle-run test), body fat (skinfolds), waist circumference, blood pressure (automatic instrument) and blood variables (fasting glucose, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides) were measured at adolescence.

Results

Frequency of physical activity in childhood and adolescence was 50.3 and 17.2%, respectively, and only 25.7% of boys and 10.9% of girls were active at both ages. Adolescents who were physically active in childhood alone were less likely [OR = 0.71 (95% CI: 0.52-0.97)] to present low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescence compared to those who were non-active in childhood. Regardless of controlled, actives in childhood and adolescence were less likely to present low cardiorespiratory fitness [OR = 0.50 (95% CI: 0.34-0.73)], high blood pressure [OR = 0.52 (95% CI: 0.32-0.85)] and high metabolic risk score [OR = 0.44 (95% CI: 0.22-0.90)] compared to the non-actives at both ages.

Conclusions

Actives through childhood to adolescence are less likely to present low cardiorespiratory fitness, high blood pressure and high metabolic risk.

Physical activity and sport participation among adolescents: associations with mental health in different age groups. Results from the Young-HUNT study: a cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES

Knowledge of how physical activity (PA) and sport participation are related to mental health throughout adolescence is scarce. Our objective was to describe PA levels and sport participation in a population-based sample of adolescents, and to explore how they relate to mental health in different age groups.

DESIGN

A population-based cross-sectional study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The adolescent part of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, a Norwegian population-based health survey, conducted from 2006 to 2008. Of 10 464 invited participants (age 13-19 years), 7619 (73%) participated, of whom 3785 (50%) were boys.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Mental health outcomes included psychological distress assessed using a short version of the Hopkins Symptom Check List Five items, self-esteem assessed using a short version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and life satisfaction assessed with a single-item satisfaction with life measure.

METHOD

Logistic regression models were used to estimate the likelihood of psychological distress, low self-esteem and low life satisfaction, according to self-reported PA level and type of sport participation, stratified by gender and school level (junior vs senior high school).

RESULTS

Fewer senior high school students participated in team sports compared with junior high school students (p<0.001). Physically active adolescents and participants in team sports had higher self-esteem and life satisfaction. A high PA level, compared with a low PA level, was associated with reduced odds of psychological distress among senior high school students (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.86 for girls and OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.79 for boys). Team sport participation was associated with reduced odds of psychological distress in senior high school girls.

CONCLUSION

A high PA level was favourably associated with various dimensions of mental health, especially for adolescents in senior high school. Team sport participation may have a positive impact on mental health and should, therefore, be encouraged.

A study of factors affecting the physical activity of youth: analysis of data from the 13th youth health behavior online survey in 2017

This study was intended to provide basic data to promote youth participation in physical activity by determining the factors that affect the physical activities of Korean youth. To achieve the purpose of this study, data obtained from the 13th Youth Health Behavior Online Survey in 2017 was used as raw data and data on 62,276 youths were analyzed by frequency analysis, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 22.0. The results suggested gender (P<0.001), school grade (P<0.001), and residential type (P<0.001) in general characteristics; subjective health status (P<0.001), stress perception (P<0.001), and sleep satisfaction (P<0.001); and finally drinking experience (P<0.004), smoking experience (P<0.009), and skipping breakfast in the morning (P<0.009) as factors affecting Korean youth’s participation in physical activity. These results indicate that: male students participated in physical activities more than female students, and middle school students participated in physical activities more than high school students; students with a higher economic status and academic performance participated more in physical activities; and students with higher subjective health status, higher happiness, and higher sleep satisfaction, students who did not drink or smoke, and students who had breakfast participated more in physical activities.

Link between Physical Activity Type in Adolescence and Body Composition in Adulthood

PURPOSE

We investigated whether type of physical activity (PA) (sports, running, and fitness/dance) engaged in during adolescence is associated with body composition in late adolescence or early adulthood.

METHODS

Data were drawn from 631 participants in the Nicotine Dependence in Teens study, a prospective investigation of students ages 12-13 yr at inception. Self-report PA data were collected at baseline, in grade 7, and every 3-4 months thereafter during the 5 yr of high school (1999-2005). Anthropometric indicators (height, weight, waist circumference, triceps, and subscapular skinfold thickness) were measured at ages 12, 16, and 24 yr. On the basis of prior exploratory factor analysis, PA was categorized into one of three types (sports, running, and fitness/dance). Regression models estimated the association between number of years participating in each PA type (0-5 yr) during high school and body composition measures in later adolescence or early adulthood.

RESULTS

In multivariable models accounting for age, sex, and parent education, more number of years participating in running during adolescence was associated with lower body mass index, waist circumference, and skinfold thickness in later adolescence and early adulthood (all P < 0.01). This association was no longer apparent in models that accounted for body composition at age 12 yr. The number of years participating in sports was positively associated with body mass index in early adulthood (P = 0.02), but fitness/dance was not statistically significantly associated with any outcome.

CONCLUSION

Sustaining participation in running, but not in other PA types, during adolescence was related to lower body composition in later adolescence and adulthood. However, more research is needed to determine whether this association is attributable to a relationship between PA and body composition in early adolescence.

Screen time and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity changes and displacement in adolescence: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

This paper determines longitudinal changes in the time Spanish adolescents devote to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and screen media activity (SMA). Moreover, it examines the displacement hypothesis between time spent on SMA and MVPA.

METHODS

A cohort of 755 adolescents participated in a prospective cohort study over a three-year period. Repeated measures ANOVA to highlight interaction effects among all variables and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques were employed.

RESULTS

Age and gender-related variations in longitudinal changes in time spent on MVPA and SMA evolved in the inverse direction (decreased on MVPA/increased on SMA) according to the ANOVA. The potential displacement between time spent on SMA and MVPA from Wave I to Wave II was analysed via SEM. The first model, estimated in the overall sample, showed no evidence for the displacement hypothesis. Subsequently, a multigroup sequence of panel models was performed and a partial displacement was observed only in boys. Hence, boys who spent more time on SMA were more likely to devote less time to MVPA three years later.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the opposite trend on the time spent on MVPA and SMA over a three-year period, being clearly higher in SMA. Further SEM analyses reveal a deferred displacement hypothesis between SMA and MVPA only in boys. This partial gendered displacement may be linked to the different uses adolescents make of screen media. The incursion of new technological devices (smartphones or tablets) and their wide range of possibilities for social networking or gaming could explain this displacement.

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.

Promoting physical activity, healthy eating and gross motor skills development among preschoolers attending childcare centers: Process evaluation of the Healthy Start-Départ Santé intervention using the RE-AIM framework

BACKGROUND

The Healthy Start-Départ Santé intervention was developed to promote physical activity, gross motor skills and healthy eating among preschoolers attending childcare centers. This process evaluation aimed to report the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance of the Healthy Start-Départ Santé intervention.

METHODS

The RE-AIM framework was used to guide this process evaluation. Data were collected across 140 childcare centers who received the Healthy Start-Départ Santé intervention in the provinces of Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, Canada. Quantitative data were collected through director questionnaires at 10 months and 2 years after the initial training and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were collected throughout the intervention.

RESULTS

The intervention was successful in reaching a large number of childcare centres and engaging both rural and urban communities across Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. Centres reported increasing opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating, which were generally low-cost, easy and quick to implement. However, these changes were rarely transformed into formal written policies. A total of 87% of centers reported using the physical activity resource and 68% using the nutrition resource on a weekly basis. Implementation fidelity of the initial training was high. Of those centers who received the initial training, 75% participated in the mid-point booster session training. Two year post-implementation questionnaires indicated that 47% of centers were still using the Active Play Equipment kit, while 42% were still using the physical activity resource and 37% were still using the nutrition resource. Key challenges to implementation and sustainability identified during the evaluation were consistent among all of the REAIM elements. These challenges included lack of time, lack of support from childcare staff and low parental engagement.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study suggest the implementation of Healthy Start-Départ Santé may be improved further by addressing resistance to change and varied levels of engagement among childcare staff. In addition, further work is needed to provide parents with opportunities to engage in HSDS with their children.

The longitudinal association between temperament and physical activity in young children

OBJECTIVE

To examine the longitudinal association of negative affect and physical activity in a population of preschool children.

STUDY DESIGN

Participants included 763 children (53% male) attending scheduled health supervision visits in their primary care physicians' offices. Data were collected at two time points at mean ages 27 (SD=5.4) and 47 (SD=6.2) months. Negative affect (NA) was measured using the Negative Affectivity (frustration/anger, decreased soothability) domain of the Children's Behavior Questionnaire. Physical Activity (PA) was assessed using a parent-report questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses tested the association between NA and PA, adjusting for child age, sex, z-BMI, PA at Time 1, maternal education, household income, and season, and examined for sex differences in the relationship between NA and PA.

RESULTS

The longitudinal association between NA at Time 1 and PA at Time 2 was moderated by sex (p<0.001). After adjusting for covariates, females with greater NA at Time 1 had decreased PA at Time 2 (p=0.01), whereas males with greater NA at Time 1 had increased PA at Time 2 (p=0.01). Specifically, among females, every 1 unit increase in NA at Time 1 was associated with a 9.9min/day decrease in PA at Time 2 (95% CI: -17.1, -2.8).

CONCLUSIONS

NA and PA were associated early in childhood and the effects of NA on PA were gender specific. These findings underscore the importance of longitudinal and gender-specific analyses in mood-obesity research.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Youth Club Athletes Toward Sport Specialization and Sport Participation

Background:

There are a variety of proposed motivations for sport specialization, such as improving sport skills to an elite level, making all-star or travel teams, or receiving a scholarship or professional contract. However, there has not been a quantitative examination of the attitudes and beliefs that may be contributing to the trend of sport specialization and year-round sport participation.

Purpose:

The primary aim was to describe the attitudes and beliefs of youth club sport athletes regarding sport specialization and sport participation. A secondary objective was to investigate whether an association exists between the level of sport specialization and the belief in receiving a college scholarship.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 974 youth athletes (578 female; mean age, 14.2 ± 1.6 years) completed an anonymous questionnaire that focused on attitudes and beliefs toward sport specialization and sport participation. Questions were developed utilizing the feedback of a panel of content area experts and the University of Wisconsin Survey Center. Data were summarized using frequencies, proportions (%), and means ± SDs.

Results:

Fewer than half of all athletes (45.8%) believed that specialization increased their chances of getting injured either “quite a bit” or “a great deal.” However, 91% of athletes believed that specialization increased their chances of getting better at their sport either “quite a bit” or “a great deal.” Similarly, the majority of athletes believed that specialization increased their chances of making their high school team (80.9%) or a college team (66.9%) either “quite a bit” or “a great deal.” Overall, 15.7% of athletes believed that they were either “very” or “extremely” likely to receive a college scholarship based on athletic performance. Highly specialized athletes were nearly twice as likely to have a high belief in receiving a college scholarship compared with low-specialization athletes (20.2% vs 10.2%, respectively; χ² = 18.8; P = .001).

Conclusion:

Most youth athletes in this study believe that specialization increases their sport performance and ability to make not only a college team but also their high school team. Highly specialized athletes were more likely to believe that they will receive a college scholarship.

Digital Media-based Health Intervention on the promotion of Women's physical activity: a quasi-experimental study

Background

Technological advances have caused poor mobility and lower physical activity among humankind. This study was conducted to assess the impact of a digital media-based (multi-media, internet, and mobile phone) health intervention on promotion of women’s physical activity.

Methods

In this quasi-experimental study, 360 women were divided into case and control groups. The digital media-based educational intervention was conducted in two months in the case group electronically, using mail and Internet and telephone platforms. Physical activity was measured using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) that estimated women’s physical activity rate in the previous week. Data was analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics (ANOVA, chi-square, paired and independent t-tests) using SPSS 20.

Results

The mean score of knowledge, attitude and level of physical activity in the control group were not significantly different before and after the intervention. While in the case group, this difference before and after the intervention was significant (p < 0.001), and mean scores of the above-mentioned factors increased after the intervention.

Conclusions

Using innovative and digital media-based health education can be effective in improving health-based behavior such as physical activity. Therefore, it seems necessary to develop user-based strategies and strengthen the behavioral change theories and hypotheses based on digital media for effective influence on behavior.

Trial registration

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), IRCT20160619028529N5. Registered December 24, 2017 [retrospectively registered].

Effects of a peer-led Walking In ScHools intervention (the WISH study) on physical activity levels of adolescent girls: a cluster randomised pilot study

Background

School-based interventions may be effective at increasing levels of physical activity (PA) among adolescents; however, there is a paucity of evidence on whether walking can be successfully promoted to increase PA in this age group. This pilot study aimed to assess the effects of a 12-week school-based peer-led brisk walking programme on levels of school-time PA post intervention.

Methods

Female participants, aged 11–13 years, were recruited from six post-primary schools in Northern Ireland. Participants were randomized by school (cluster) to participate in regular 10–15-min peer-led brisk walks throughout the school week (the WISH study) (n = 101, two schools) or to continue with their usual PA (n = 98, four schools). The primary outcome measure was school-time PA post intervention (week 12), assessed objectively using an Actigraph accelerometer. Secondary outcome measures included anthropometry, cardiorespiratory fitness and psychosocial measures. Changes in PA data between baseline (T0) and end of intervention (week 12) (T1) were analysed using a mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance with one between (group) and one within (time) subjects factor, with two levels.

Results

Of 199 participants recruited (mean age = 12.4 ± 0.6 years, 27% overweight/obese), 187 had valid accelerometer data for inclusion in subsequent analysis. A significant interaction effect was observed for changes in light intensity PA across the school day (p = 0.003), with those in the intervention increasing their light intensity PA by 8.27 mins/day compared with a decrease of 2.14 mins/day in the control group. No significant interactions were observed for the other PA measures across the intervention. Intervention effects on school-time PA were not sustained four months post intervention.

Conclusions

The intervention increased daily light intensity PA behaviour in these adolescent girls but did not change moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). These findings suggest that a school-based brisk walking intervention may be feasible and can change PA behaviour in the short term, but it is possible that the self-selected walking speeds determined by a peer-leader may not be sufficient to reach MVPA in this age group. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential of school-based brisk walking to contribute to MVPA in adolescent girls.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02871830. Registered on 16 August 2016) 

Diversity of leisure-time sport activities in adolescence as a predictor of leisure-time physical activity in adulthood

Because sustained physical activity is important for a healthy life, this paper examined whether a greater diversity of sport activities during adolescence predicts higher levels of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in adulthood. From sport activity participation reported by 17-year-old twins, we formed five groups: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5+ different sport activities. At follow-up in their mid-thirties, twins were divided into four activity classes based on LTPA, including active commuting. Multinomial regression analyses, adjusted for several confounders, were conducted separately for male (N=1288) and female (N=1770) participants. Further, conditional logistic regression analysis included 23 twin pairs discordant for both diversity of sport activities in adolescence and LTPA in adulthood. The diversity of leisure-time sport activities in adolescence had a significant positive association with adulthood LTPA among females. Membership in the most active adult quartile, compared to the least active quartile, was predicted by participation in 2, 3, 4, and 5+ sport activities in adolescence with odds ratios: 1.52 (P=.11), 1.86 (P=.02), 1.29 (P=.39), and 3.12 (P=5.4e-05), respectively. Within-pair analyses, limited by the small sample of twins discordant for both adolescent activities and adult outcomes, did not replicate the association. A greater diversity of leisure-time sport activities in adolescence predicts higher levels of LTPA in adulthood in females, but the causal nature of this association remains unresolved.