Parameters of participation in organized sports – Findings from German preschool children

Abstract

Introduction There are alarming trends concerning children's health related fitness and weight status in developed countries. In this regard, physical activity (PA) of children attracts attention. As important part of PA in childhood organized sports (e.g. in a sports club) is of special interest. The purpose of the study was to examine factors that possibly promote children's participation in organized sports. Recent studies suppose that young children's participation depends on parental decisions, which are particularly interacted by horizontal factors of social disparity [1] . Interestingly, few studies support a high importance of vertical disparities like parental priorities, attitudes, expectations, and support [2,3] . Methods This study was integrated in a German motor ability and physical activity survey (MoKiS) for preschool children (aged 4–6), conducted 2007 in Saxony. Participation in organized sports and participation factors are determined by parental questionnaire ( n = 362), children's physical activity by heart rate monitoring ( n = 58). Results Parental education, income and occupation differed for participating and non-participating children ( Z = [−3824; −2468]; P = [.001; .014]). Vertical disparities were especially connected to parental health related expectations of child's PA ( Z = −3057; P = 002) as well as preferences regarding familiar every day PA ( Z = −2757; P = .006), and parental support ( Z = 5231; P MVPA = .220; P = .301; s = 0.48; ρ VPA = .174; P = .417; s = 0.40). Conclusions The results suggest that forming parent's health and PA related attitudes can support children's participation in organized sports. Understanding the mechanisms of children's participation in organized sports can help to design more effective interventions to promote PA in childhood.