Abstract
BackgroundIn children physical activity has been shown to be associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study further explores this association for specific characteristics of sports participation, namely membership of a sports club, frequency of sports participation, performing individual versus team sports, performing indoor versus outdoor sports, while differentiating between specific dimensions in the physical, psychological and social domain of HRQoL.MethodsCross-sectional data were collected from Dutch primary school children aged 10 to 12 years. They completed the Movement and Sports Monitor Questionnaire Youth aged 8 to 12 years (MSMQ) and the KIDSCREEN-52, an HRQoL questionnaire for children and adolescents. The data were examined using linear multilevel analyses because of the clustering of children in schools.ResultsThe questionnaires were completed by 1876 children (response rate 81.3%). Membership of a sports club, moderate or high frequency of sports participation, and performing outdoor sports were all significantly associated with better HRQoL. These associations were largely found in the physical domain of HRQoL, to a lesser degree in the social domain, and to a limited extent in the psychological domain.ConclusionThe association between sports participation and HRQoL in children depends on both characteristics of sports participation and the domain of life that is concerned. These differences offer starting points for developing tailor-made sports programs for children.
Highlights
In children physical activity has been shown to be associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL)
Health-related QoL (HRQoL) is a subset of quality of life [12, 13] focusing on the three central elements in the World Health
In line with Vella, et al [27], the current study aimed to investigate the associations between four specific characteristics of sports participation and the physical, psychological and social domain of HRQoL in children
Summary
In children physical activity has been shown to be associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). QoL is a multidimensional concept [8, 9] It can be defined as subjectively perceived well-being and satisfaction with the physical, emotional, mental, social, and behavioural components of functioning [10, 11]. Health-related QoL (HRQoL) is a subset of quality of life [12, 13] focusing on the three central elements in the World Health. Several studies in adults and adolescents suggest sports participation to be associated with a more favourable HRQoL. Being physically active in a socially engaged manner by participating in sports activities seems to improve HRQoL in adults and adolescents [16,17,18]
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