Non-organized Physical Activity Research Articles

Longitudinal relationship between organised and non-organised physical activities and overall physical activity in children aged 3-11years.

Young children's physical activity (PA) has been decreasing while their sports participation has been increasing. Therefore, the aim of this research was to longitudinally examine whether and, if so, how organised and non-organised PA participation by early childhood education and care (ECEC)-aged children (T1; 3-8years) predicted their accelerometer-measured PA at primary school age (T2; 7-11years). Secondarily, changes in organised and non-organised PA participation over time were investigated. The cluster-randomised study participants comprised 501 Finnish children (52.3% girls: T1, Mage=5.57±1.06; T2, Mage=8.80±1.07). PA participation was queried via guardian questionnaire at T1 and T2. Organised PA participation was operationalised as non-participation, participation in one sport or multisport (two or more) participation; non-organised PA was operationalised as time spent outdoors on weekdays and on weekend days. PA at T2 was measured using accelerometers. The primary outcome was tested using linear regressions, while a paired sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test assessed differences between T1 and T2. The results showed outdoor time and organised sports participation increased from T1 to T2. Moreover, outdoor time at T1 predicted more moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and less sedentary time at T2, while multisport participation predicted significantly more MVPA and less sedentary time at T2. Overall, being outdoors and multisport participation at younger ages appear to have predicted Finnish children's later (MV) PA and sedentary behaviour.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of domain-specific physical activity composition with health-related quality of life in childhood and adolescence in Australia

BackgroundHealth benefits have been linked with physical activity (PA), as well as some domains of PA among youth (e.g. organized PA and active transport). However, less is known about whether some PA domains are more beneficial than others. There is also a lack of evidence about whether health outcomes are related to the composition of PA (i.e. the share of PA spent in different domains). This study aimed to identify: (1) how the absolute durations of organized PA, non-organized PA, active transport and active chores/work at 10-11y are individually associated with physical, psychosocial and total health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at 10-11y and 12-13y; and (2) how the domain-specific composition of PA at 10-11y is associated with HRQOL at 10-11y and 12-13y.MethodsData from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children were used in cross-sectional (n ≥ 2730) and longitudinal analyses (n ≥ 2376). Measurement included the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) for HRQOL domains and one-day time-use diaries (TUDs) for PA domains. Robust linear regression models were used, controlling for age, sex, pubertal status, socioeconomic position, body mass index and TUD context (season and school attendance). Compositional models additionally adjusted for total PA duration and longitudinal models controlled for baseline PedsQL™ scores.ResultsNon-compositional models indicated that the duration of organized PA, and to a lesser extent non-organized PA, were positively but weakly associated with some HRQOL outcomes at 10-11y. These trends were not reflected in longitudinal models, although a 30-min increase in non-organized PA per day did predict marginally better psychosocial HRQOL at 12-13y (+ 0.17%; 95%CI = + 0.03%, + 0.32%). Compositional models revealed that a 30-min increase in organized PA relative to other domains was positively but weakly associated with physical (+ 0.32%; 95%CI = + 0.01%, + 0.63%), psychosocial (+ 0.41%; 95%CI = + 0.11%, + 0.72%) and total HRQOL (+ 0.39%; 95%CI = + 0.12%, + 0.66%) at 10-11y. However, the overall PA composition at 10-11y was not related to HRQOL at 12-13y.ConclusionsNon-compositional and compositional models generally concurred on the direction of cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships (and lack thereof) between PA domains and HRQOL outcomes. The strongest associations were cross-sectional between organized PA and HRQOL at 10-11y. However, all associations between PA domains and HRQOL outcomes were weak and may not be clinically meaningful.

Longitudinal changes in domains of physical activity during the transition from elementary school to high school in the U.S.

To describe patterns of age-related change in self-reported physical activity domains within a heterogeneous sample of boys and girls in the U.S. transitioning from elementary to high school. Prospective cohort study. Participants included n = 644 children recruited in 5th grade (10.5 ± 0.5 years old, 45 % female) who completed the Physical Activity Choices survey at least twice over 5 time points (5th, 6th, 7th, 9th and 11th grade). Participants' self-reported physical activities were categorized into organized and non-organized activities, and a comprehensive variable was created as the product of the total number of physical activities reported in the past 5 days, the number of days spent in each activity, and the total time spent in each activity. Descriptive statistics and growth curve models (controlling for covariates) for the total sample and by sex were examined for total, organized, and non-organized physical activities from ages 10 to 17. There was a significant age by gender interaction (p < 0.05) for time spent in non-organized physical activities. Specifically, both sexes had similar patterns of decline before age 13, while boys increased after age 13 and girls declined and then maintained. In contrast, boys and girls declined in organized physical activities from ages 10 to 17 (p < 0.001). We observed stark differences in the age-related change between organized and non-organized physical activities and marked differences in the patterns of non-organized physical activities between boys and girls. Future research should examine physical activity interventions that consider age-, sex-, and domain-specific physical activity options for youth.

Leisure-Time Activities in Different Contexts and Depressive Symptoms in Norwegian Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between physical activity organised in sports clubs, non-organised physical activity, other organised leisure-time activities, and depressive symptoms among adolescents. This study was based on cross-sectional data from the Ungdata survey conducted between 2017 and 2019. The sample comprised 7656 adolescents (aged 13–16 years). Binominal logistic regression was used to analyse the association between the three different leisure-time activities and depressive symptoms. All models were adjusted for gender, family economy, parents’ higher education, having friends, alcohol intoxication, and smoking. The odds for symptoms of depression were higher for those who were less physically active in a sports club (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.15–1.57) and in non-organised physical activities (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.29–1.74) and lower for those who participated less in other organised leisure-time activities (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.68–0.92) compared with those who were physically active (sports club and non-organised) and those who participated in other organised leisure-time activities. Our findings suggested that being physically active, both in a sports club and in non-organised activities, was associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms among adolescents. Additional research is needed to confirm a possible causal relationship.

Changes in subdomains of non-organized physical activity between childhood and adolescence in Australia: a longitudinal study

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) participation among youth tends to be insufficient and is prone to decline with age. In Australia, this decline has been shown to particularly occur in the domain of non-organized PA (e.g. active play and informal sport) between childhood and adolescence. However, information about changes in more specific groupings of activities within non-organized PA (i.e. subdomains) is needed, as this could support more targeted intervention strategies. This study aimed to investigate changes in the duration of specific subdomains of non-organized PA between late childhood (10–11 years) and early adolescence (12–13 years) in Australia, as well as whether these changes are moderated by sex.MethodsData were sourced from Waves 6 and 7 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (n = 3614). Youth time-use diaries (24-h) were used to measure the duration of eight subdomains of non-organized PA at both waves (athletics/gymnastics, ball sports, cycling/motor/roller sports, fitness/gym/exercise, martial arts/dancing, water/ice/snow sports, active play and other outdoor/nature PA). Multilevel mixed modelling was used to explore longitudinal changes between waves and the potential moderation effect of sex.ResultsActive play declined the most of all subdomains (β = –20.5 min/day; 95% CI = –23.4, –17.6, p < 0.001). A smaller decline was observed in the subdomain of non-organized ball sports (β = –4.1 min/day; 95% CI = –5.9, –2.3, p < 0.001). Other subdomains remained stable or had only very small changes in participation. The decline in active play was moderated by sex, with a steeper decline among girls. No other notable moderation effects were observed.ConclusionsFuture studies may seek to explore and test the acceptability of PA promotion strategies to encourage active play participation, such as ‘reframing’ childhood play activities to be appropriate for adolescents. Such studies might particularly seek the perspectives of girls in the transition to adolescence.

Longitudinal associations of subjectively-measured physical activity and screen time with cognitive development in young children

PurposeTo examine the longitudinal associations of subjectively-measured physical activity (PA) and screen time with multiple domains of cognitive development in a sample of young children. MethodsParticipants were 96 children (baseline age: 3.69 ± 0.78 years) and their parents from Edmonton, Canada in the Physical Activity and Cognition in Early Childhood (PACE) study. Different types of PA (organized, non-organized) and screen time (television viewing, video games) were measured using a parental questionnaire at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Total proxy-reported PA, total screen time, and meeting/not meeting the screen time recommendations (2–4 years: ≤1 h/d; 5 years: ≤2 h/d) of the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines were also calculated. Working memory (Nebraska Barnyard task) and inhibitory control (Fish-Shark Go/No-Go task) were assessed at the three time points. Intellectual ability, including language development, inductive reasoning, and perceptual speed, were assessed using the Woodcock-Johnson III test battery at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Multilevel growth modeling was conducted. ResultsOrganized PA (B = 1.26; 95%CI: 0.19,2.33), non-organized PA (B = 0.89, 95%CI: 0.08, 1.71), and total proxy-reported PA (B = 1.03, 95%CI: 0.41,1.66) were positively associated with intellectual ability. In particular, positive associations in regard to language development and inductive reasoning were observed. As for screen time, most associations were not significant, except for positive associations of meeting the screen recommendation with intellectual ability (B = 3.19; 95%CI: 0.002,6.38) and language development (B = 4.32; 95%CI: 0.34,8.30). ConclusionFor young children, promoting PA participation in organized and non-organized activities, as well as meeting the screen time recommendations, appears important for cognitive development.

Influence of socioeconomic variables on physical activity and screen time of children and adolescents during the COVID‑19 lockdown in Germany: the MoMo study

The COVID‑19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic created a multitude of natural experiments about the change of human behavior in a widely unfamiliar situation. Besides physical and mental health, physical activity (PA) and people’s movement behaviors were of particular interest to researchers all over the world. In a recent study, we found that among youth in Germany, sports activity declined, whereas recreational screen time and habitual activity increased during the first COVID‑19 lockdown. In the present study, we analyze the influence of the socioeconomic status and the housing situation on the changes in PA behavior and recreational screen-time before and during the first COVID‑19 lockdown among children and adolescents living in Germany. We found an alignment of PA behavior among youth from families with different socioeconomic backgrounds during the first lockdown and identified the housing situation to be a meaningful predictor of the increase in habitual activity. We conclude that restriction policies, communities, and in the last instance parents need to enable access to nonorganized PA to all children and adolescents every day and especially during potential future lockdowns.

Correlations between Physical Activity Participation and the Environment in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Using Ecological Frameworks

Physical activity (PA) and sports are efficient ways to promote the young generation’s physical and mental health and development. This study expected to demonstrate the complexity of correlates associated with children’s and adolescents’ non-organized PA participation. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA), a systematic review and meta-analysis were applied. Seven electronic databases were systematically searched to identify eligible articles based on a series of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The internal validity of the systematic reviews thus identified was evaluated using a validated quality instrument. Calculations were produced in SPSS 27.0 and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.3. Thirty-nine eligible studies (N = 324,953) with moderate to high quality were included. No potential publication bias was detected using statistical analyses. The meta-analysis revealed that the overall ecological factors correlated positively with children and adolescents’ PA; the meta-analytic average of the correlations was (′r = 0.32, p < 0.001). Results from subgroup analysis indicated that theory-based influence factors achieved moderate effect with boys (′r = 0.37, p < 0.001) and girls (′r = 0.32, p < 0.001) in PA participation. Interestingly, higher correlations were found between ecological factors and twins’ PA participation (′r = 0.61, p = 0.001). Further, individual (′r = 0.32, p < 0.001), macro-, and chronosystems factors (′r = 0.50, p < 0.001) appeared slightly more influential than microsystems factors (′r = 0.28, p < 0.001) on children and adolescents’ PA participation. Although findings from the included studies covered were to some extent heterogeneous, it is possible to identify consistent correlates of PA in children and adolescents. The results supported that PA is a complex and multi-dimensional behavior, which is determined by numerous biological, psychological, sociocultural, and environmental factors. Future studies that focus on the integration effect of macrosystem and chronosystem environmental factors, and apply longitudinal designs and objective measurements are encouraged to further unfold the complexity of the ecological system and its implications in promoting children and adolescents’ PA participation.

Physical Activity Participation and the Environment in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol.

Physical activity (PA) and sports are efficient ways to promote the younger generation’s health and wellbeing. However, evidence is limited due to heterogeneous samples and measurements. This study aims to identify promoting and inhibiting correlates associated with children’s and adolescents’ non-organized PA participation and further demonstrate the complexity of PA and ecological factors. A systematic review and meta-analysis will be applied by following the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P). Seven bibliographic databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, PsycInfo, MEDLINE Complete, ERIC, Dimensions, and Academic Search Complete) will be systematically searched to identify eligible articles based on a series of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria are that the study: (a) is not classified as a systematic review with or without meta-analysis; (b) is published in last 20 years; (c) includes children and adolescents; (d) quantitively measures PA; (e) includes review of ecological factors. The internal validity will be evaluated using a validated quality instrument. Calculations will be produced in SPSS 27.0 and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.3. This study will provide evidence and address the questions regarding the factors that significantly impact children’s PA participation and limitations regarding the design, sampling, and measurement in currently selected studies. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021244918.

Peer and parental processes predict distinct patterns of physical activity participation among adolescent girls and boys

ABSTRACT Parents and peers play a key role in adolescents' physical activity (PA). However, limited research has explored whether the processes by which significant others impact male and female adolescents' PA differs across discrete patterns of PA participation. This study examined whether parent and peer support, pressure, acceptance and teasing were associated with distinct PA patterns among adolescent girls (groups comprising Organised Dance; Team Sport; Individual Sport; Walk/Run/Outdoor games; Non-Participation) and boys (groups comprising Individual Sport; Team Sport; Mixed Type; Non-Participation). Nine hundred ninety-five students (M age = 13.72 years, SD = 1.25) from eight secondary schools in Ireland completed measures of support (mother, father, peer), parental pressure, peer acceptance, teasing and a diary outlining the frequency, context, duration and intensity of their engagement in PA. Multinomial logistic regression revealed mothers' support was significantly associated with female team sport (OR = 1.09, p = 0.42) and individual sport (OR = 1.24, p < .001) but not male PA participation (p > .05). Father support was related to male individual sport (OR = 1.09, p = .023), team sport (OR = 1.15, p < .001) and mixed type (OR = 1.16, p < .001) PA behaviour, highlighting the significance of support from same gender parent. All female PA classes reported higher perceived friend support than non-participants (OR = 1.23–1.45, p < .001) highlighting the importance of peers for girls’ involvement in high and low levels of organised and non-organised PA. Gender differences were also evidenced across PA patterns for teasing, pressure, and peer acceptance. The findings underscore the importance of considering gender and pattern of PA participation when examining social influences on youth PA and identify target processes for intervention efforts.

Levels and correlates of physical activity and screen time among early years children (2-5 years): Cross-cultural comparisons between Canadian and South Korean data.

Cross-cultural research can provide insight into whether levels and correlates of movement behaviours among early years children vary across different cultural contexts. This study (1) compared children's physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) and parental and environmental correlates of PA and ST between samples of Canadian and South Korean (Korean thereafter) early years children (2-5 years) and (2) investigated parental and environmental correlates of PA and ST and whether country moderates the relationships. Cross-sectional data from 121 Canadian children (3.4 years; 49.6% girls) and 101 Korean children (3.4 years; 54.9% girls) who participated in the Parents' Role in Establishing healthy Physical activity and Sedentary behaviour habits (PREPS) study were used. Demographic information, children's PA, ST, PA- or ST-specific parental cognitions and behaviours, and home and neighbourhood environments were measured using a proxy-reported questionnaire. Two-tailed independent samples T test or Mann Whitney U test, chi-square tests, linear regression and moderation analyses were performed. Canadian children spent more time in non-organized PA compared to Korean children (111 vs. 63 min/day), whereas time spent in organized PA was higher in Korean children than Canadian children (25 vs. 9 min/day). Canadian children had more ST than Korean children (159 vs. 110 min/day). Similarly, Canadian parents reported higher screen (142 vs. 116 min/day) and sitting time (317 vs. 286 min/day) than Korean parents. Though children's behaviours, as well as parental cognitions and behaviours, varied between the two samples, similar correlates of children's PA and ST were observed. The relationship between presence of electronics in children's bedrooms and children's ST was moderated by country, with Canadian children showing a stronger relationship than Korean children. Supporting parents to adopt cognitions and behaviours that are conducive to healthy PA and ST patterns of their own and their early years children may be important for both Canada and Korea.

Do Adolescents Who Meet Physical Activity Recommendations on Weekdays Also Meet Them on Weekends? A Cross-Sectional Study in Colombia.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether Colombian adolescents fulfill physical activity (PA) recommendations by type of day depending on several variables. A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 2624 adolescents from Neiva (Colombia) using the Seven Day PA Recall and the Family Affluence Scale II self-reported questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed to find any differences by gender, socioeconomic status, PA recommendations accomplishment, participation in organized and non-organized PA, parents’ involvement in sport, and adolescents’ academic achievement, and to determine the probability of complying with the PA guidelines. Only 12.3% of the participants met the PA recommendations on weekdays and weekends. Girls maintained their (in)active patterns during the week more than boys (84.4% vs. 70.7%, respectively), while more boys than girls changed them according to the type of day (25.3% vs. 19.6%). Participation in organized sports was the predictor variable with the highest probability of both boys and girls complying with the PA recommendations on weekdays. Non-organized activities were more likely to make girls more active on weekends. In conclusion, a wider offer of organized and non-competitive PA over the weekend and broader sports schedules should be provided to youth in Neiva.

Influence of Organized vs Non Organized Physical Activity on School Adaptation Behavior.

It is now well-established that physical activity has positive effects on both physical and mental health. However, the influence of organized physical activity (i.e., programs controlled and supervised by a trainer) on school adaptive behavior of adolescents with disabilities and/or behavioral disorders remains unclear. School behavior adaptation involves the ability to learn, conform to school norms and manage school activities without major behavior conflicts. A cross-sectional study was conducted to test the differences between organized physical activity and non-organized physical activity in an after school program. Eighty Romanian adolescents were recruited and allocated to three groups: (a) with disabilities [Ds; N = 17, Mage = 14.55 years (SD = 1.16), 12 males and 5 females], (b) with conduct disorders [CDs, N = 21, Mage = 14.52 years (SD = 1.11) 16 males and 5 females], and (c) participants who had not shown signs of conduct disorders or disabilities [as a control group; N = 42, Mage = 14.2 years (SD = 0.46) 20 males and 22 females]. Personality traits, school behavior, and sensorimotor coordination were assessed by using the Eysenck personality questionnaire—junior scale, school in-adaptability questionnaire scale, and Vienna Test System Sport (SMK—sensorimotor coordination test) respectively. Multivariate analysis of variance MANOVA (3 × 3) and discriminant analysis were used to examine differences between the psychological and sensorimotor coordination outcomes across three groups and three types of physical activity context: (a) organized physical activity, (b) non-organized physical activity, and (c) no physical activity. The findings indicate that not participating in an organized physical activity program results in a reduced level of physical mobility and consequently is associated with maladaptive social and psychological outcomes. Thus, we argued that attending in an organized physical activity program is more beneficial for participants with disabilities and/or behavior disorders, due to an increase in the probability of school integration and development of their motor skills. Clearly more research is needed in order to investigate these effects in neurophysiological levels.

‘Not just for fun anymore’: a qualitative exploration of social norms related to the decline in non-organised physical activity between childhood and adolescence in Australia

ABSTRACT Participation in physical activity (PA) tends to decline between childhood and adolescence, and in Australia the bulk of this decline has been shown to occur in the domain of non-organised PA (e.g. active play, informal sports). A better understanding of the reasons for the decline in non-organised PA may support strategies to counter barriers and strengthen enablers of participation. This study aimed to explore the stories of young adults who withdrew from non-organised PA and overall PA between 11y and 15y. Specifically, we sought to explore social norms related to non-organised PA during adolescence, and barriers and enablers of participation. Participants were young adults (18–22y) who were recruited from undergraduate, vocational and special entrance classes, as well as two churches in the Illawarra region, Australia. Recruitment was stratified by sex and socioeconomic status. Data collection occurred via semi-structured interviews with embedded Life History Calendars (n = 22). Thematic analysis was supported by concept and pattern coding. Findings revealed that social norms were related to an interplay of adult modelling/influence, concerns about being childish, puberty, identity development, adult choices and responsibilities, and changing life circumstances. Barriers to participation centred on fears of being different, bullying, peer judgement and rejection. Enablers of participation included safe people and places, accessible games (e.g. handball/foursquare) and, for girls, having an identity that supported challenging gender norms. Future PA promotion strategies may involve ‘reframing’ childhood activities to be appropriate for adolescents, and emphasising identity-congruent types of PA (e.g. active video games, drama games). Such strategies may be implemented in a similar style to after-school intramural sports to allow youth to participate despite potential changes in their life circumstances during adolescence.

Socio-ecological predictors of non-organized physical activity participation and decline between childhood and adolescence

ABSTRACT Physical activity (PA) tends to decline during late childhood and adolescence. In Australia, this decline has been shown to particularly occur non-organized PA (e.g., active play, informal sport). This study aimed to explore predictors of non-organized PA at 13y; and decline between 11y and 13y. Data were sourced from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Non-organized PA was measured using time-use diaries. Analyses included Cragg hurdle and binary logistic regressions. The likelihood of non-organized PA at 13y was predicted by PA enjoyment (OR = 1.36, p = 0.007), number of siblings (OR = 1.11, p < 0.001), sex (females) (OR = 0.66, p < 0.001) and home computer use at 11y (OR = 0.98, p = 0.002) (n = 3,193). Females also engaged in less non-organized PA at 13y (β = −77.77, p = 0.048) (n = 3,193). Significant predictors of decline in non-organized PA were socioeconomic position (OR = 0.92, p = 0.047) and sugary drink consumption at 11y (OR = 1.06, p = 0.033) (n = 3,222). Strategies to promote non-organized PA may include targeting females and those of lower socioeconomic position, and focusing on types of PA that may replace the perceived benefits of computer use.

Participation in Domains of Physical Activity Among Australian Youth During the Transition From Childhood to Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study.

Information about the domains of physical activity (PA) that are most prone to decline between late childhood (11y), early adolescence (13y), and mid-adolescence (15y) may support more targeted health promotion strategies. This study explored longitudinal trends in nonorganized PA, organized PA, active transport and active chores/work between childhood and adolescence, and potential sociodemographic moderators of changes. Data were sourced from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (n = 4108). Participation in PA domains was extracted from youth time-use diaries. Potential moderators were sex, Indigenous status, language spoken at home, socioeconomic position, and geographical remoteness. A large quadratic decline in nonorganized PA (-48min/d, P < .001) was moderated by sex (β = 5.55, P = .047) and home language (β = 8.55, P = .047), with girls (-39min/d) and those from a non-English speaking background (-46min/d) declining more between 11 and 13 years. Active chores/work increased between 11 and 13 years (+4min/d, P < .001) and then stabilized. Active transport increased among boys between 11 and 13 years (+6min/d, P < .001) and then declined between 13 and 15 years (-4min/d, P < .001). Organized PA remained stable. The longitudinal decline in PA participation may be lessened by targeting nonorganized PA between childhood and adolescence. Future interventions may target girls or those from non-English speaking backgrounds during this transition.

\u2018Social screens\u2019 and \u2018the mainstream\u2019: longitudinal competitors of non-organized physical activity in the transition from childhood to adolescence

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) tends to decline during late childhood and adolescence. In Australia, this decline has been shown to occur particularly in non-organized PA (e.g. active play and informal sport). Using a social marketing approach, segments of youth may be identified and targeted based on their profile of alternative activities that compete with non-organized PA during the transition to adolescence. The objectives of this study were to identify and describe segments of youth whose participation in non-organized PA declined between 11 and 13 years, based on changes in other potential competing activities during this period.MethodsData were sourced from Waves 4 and 5 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Participation in non-organized PA and thirteen alternative activities (e.g. video games, homework, sleep) were measured using 24-h time-use diaries. Analyses were limited to participants whose non-organized PA had declined between 11 and 13 years (n = 1043). Two-stage cluster analysis was conducted and segments were described using chi-square and t-tests.ResultsAmong the analytic sample, average non-organized PA participation declined by 87 min/day between 11y and 13y (p < 0.001). Two segments were identified (κ = 0.66). The ‘Social Screens’ segment (n = 143) had large increases in texting, emailing and social media use (+ 56 min/day, p < 0.001) and other internet use (+ 32 min/day, p < 0.001). Conversely, ‘the Mainstream’ segment (n = 900) had smaller increases in a wider range of activities, including other PA (organized PA, active transport, active chores/work) (+ 16.0 min/day, p < 0.001), homework/study (+ 9.5 min/day, p < 0.001) and electronic gaming (+ 6.7 min/day, p < 0.05). ‘Social Screens’ were more likely to attend public school, live in urban areas and have more advanced pubertal development (girls only). ‘The Mainstream’ were more likely to participate in PA and out-of-school activities.ConclusionsThe ‘Social Screens’ segment had a much larger increase in texting, emailing, social media and other internet use, and lower participation in overall PA and out-of-school activities, compared with ‘the Mainstream’. Future research may trial PA promotion strategies to replace benefits that this segment may seek in competing activities (e.g. social PA apps).

Organised and non-organised after-school physical activity among children in Spain: the role of school-related variables

ABSTRACTResearch question: The objective is to study the correlates of organised and non-organised physical activity done after school hours by children, paying special attention to the effects of school-related variables.Research methods: We estimate a two-part model consisting of a sequential discrete choice model for participation and an interval probit model for the frequency of practice of physical activity, using a Spanish survey conducted in 2011 on 17,633 primary and secondary school pupils throughout the country, aged between 6 and 18 years.Results and findings: The estimates support the specification of different models for participation and frequency, distinguishing between organised and non-organised activities. School-related variables have a significant effect. The existence of a sports project increases the probability of practising both organised and non-organised sports and the frequency of organised activities; the organisation of sports activities by parents’ associations is positively associated with the probability of participation in sports, and the type of ownership (state, private, or private schools with public funding) affects both participation and frequency.Implications: There is evidence of some room for policies to favour children’s sports participation through schools, especially in the case of organised sports. Policy makers should take into account if it is a state school, a private school or a private school with public funding when designing policies to favour children’s physical activity. The development of a sports project by the school and the involvement of parents’ or sports associations appear as effective measures in terms of this objective.

Students’ Attitude Toward Physical Education: Relations With Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Self-Concept

This study investigated the relation between students’ attitude toward physical education (PE) and its correlates by simultaneously considering age, sex, enjoying physical activity (PA), self-perceived physically active lifestyle (PAL), self-perception of physical competence, PA, and cardiovascular fitness (CF). This cross-sectional study included 235 students (M = 15.2 ± 2.5 years). All correlates of students’ attitude toward PE were assessed via questionnaires. CF was assessed by via Fitnessgram. Pearson correlation coefficients confirmed a large positive correlation between attitude toward PE and PA enjoyment (r = .71, p < .001) and PAL (r = .52, p < .001). Moderate positive correlations were found for self-perception of physical competence, nonorganized PA, organized PA, and CF (.24 ≥ r ≤ .48, ps < .001) . Multiple linear regression showed that enjoying PA (β = .62, p < .001) was the only significant predictor when all variables were considered simultaneously. The model explained 55% of explained variance on students’ attitude toward PE. Binary logistic regressions showed that students who reported enjoying PA were 9.3 times more likely to report a positive attitude toward PE. In contrast, students who did not enjoy PA and those who overperformed in the CF test were 4.2 and 1.1 , respectively, more likely to report a negative attitude toward PE. Coherently across all analyses, from all the predictors studied, PA enjoyment seems to be the most powerful, showing the highest contribution in explaining students’ attitude toward PE. Subscribe to TPE

Reciprocal Longitudinal Associations Between Adolescents’ Media Consumption and Psychological Health

ObjectiveThis study investigated reciprocal longitudinal associations between media use/physical activity and adolescents’ psychological health. MethodsData were collected between 2011 and 2017 in the LIFE Child study in Germany. The sample included 814 10- to 17-year-old adolescents. The participants provided information on their media use per day (hours of television/video, computer/Internet, and mobile phone use), physical activity (frequency of organized and non-organized physical activity per week), behavioral difficulties (emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems), and quality of life (physical and psychological well-being; satisfaction with parents, peers, and school) at 2 time points 12 months apart. Multiple regressions were applied to analyze reciprocal longitudinal associations between media use/physical activity and behavioral difficulties/quality of life. ResultsFrequent use of computers/Internet at baseline was associated with an increase in internalizing behavioral difficulties (emotional problems and peer relationship problems) at follow-up. Additionally, a high frequency of computer/Internet and mobile phone use was related to a decrease in psychological well-being, whereas a high frequency of organized physical activity was linked to improved physical well-being. The analyses also revealed a link between more behavioral difficulties at baseline and increased television consumption at follow-up. ConclusionThis study suggests mutual dependencies between electronic media use and psychological health over time.