School Sport Participation Research Articles

The privilege to play: race, gender, & SES advantages in boys’ high school athletic opportunities

ABSTRACT In this study, with an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, we considered the components and implications of a habitus that (re)produces racial/ethnic, social class, and gender differences in US interscholastic sport participation. We drew from independently collected qualitative (N = 19 men and 47 total college athletes) and quantitative (N = 4,097 high school boys) data and noted and investigated dynamic links between individual choices; family, community, and school contexts; and power structures that inform interscholastic athletics. Findings positioned sports as offering valuable institutionalized cultural capital but being rife with reproductive struggles. Schools serve as fields that co-construct unequal athletic opportunity structures by nurturing and rewarding a cultivated athletic habitus associated with masculinity, whiteness, and affluent dispositions. These processes situate athletic advantages and successes as purely meritorious but restrict who is most likely to receive the individual and social benefits of high school sports participation.

Differences in Overuse Injuries in Gender-Comparable Sports: A Nationally Representative Sample of High School Athletes.

Participation in high school sports has physical, physiological, and social development benefits, while also increasing the risk of acute and overuse injuries. Risk of sport-related overuse injury differs between boys and girls. To investigate differences in overuse injuries among US high school athletes participating in the gender-comparable sports of soccer, basketball, and baseball/softball. Descriptive epidemiology study using a nationally representative sample from the High School Reporting Information Online (RIO) database. High schools. Athletes with overuse injuries during the 2006-2007 through 2018-2019 academic years. National estimates and rates of overuse injuries were extrapolated from weighted observed numbers with the following independent variables: sport, gender, academic year, class year, event type, body site, diagnosis, recurrence, activity, and position. Among an estimated 908 295 overuse injuries nationally, 43.9% (n = 398 419) occurred in boys' soccer, basketball, and baseball, whereas 56.1% (n = 509 876) occurred in girls' soccer, basketball, and softball. When comparing gender across sports, girls were more likely to sustain an overuse injury than boys (soccer, injury rate ratio [IRR]: 1.37, 95% CI = 1.20-1.57; basketball, IRR: 1.82, 95% CI = 1.56-2.14; baseball/softball, IRR: 1.21, 95% CI = 1.04-1.41). Most overuse injuries in soccer and basketball for both genders occurred to a lower extremity (soccer: 83.9% [175 369/209 071] for boys, 90.0% [243 879/271 092] for girls; basketball: 77.0% [59 239/76 884] for boys, 80.5% [81 826/101 709] for girls), whereas most overuse injuries in baseball and softball were to an upper extremity (72.5% [81 363/112 213] for boys, 53.7% [73 557/136 990] for girls). For boys' baseball, pitching (43.5% [47 007/107 984]) was the most common activity associated with an overuse injury, which differed from the most common activity of throwing (31.7% [39 921/126 104]) for girls' softball. Gender differences observed in this study can help guide future strategies that are more specific to gender and sport to reduce overuse injuries among high school athletes.

The impact of inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical performance of high school athletes

Background/ObjectiveThis study was conducted during the 2019–2020 academic year to evaluate the impact of participation in school sports on students’ Body Mass Index (BMI) and Assessing Levels of Physical Activity (ALPHA) test scores. Interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a suspension of in-person education, the study resumed in September 2021, refocusing on the effects of pandemic-induced inactivity on the physical fitness levels of the same cohort.MethodsThe study included twenty-nine male high school students (age: 17,24 ± 0,73 years), divided into thirteen athletes (participating in sports such as football, basketball, and track) and sixteen non-athletic counterparts. They underwent reassessment using the ALPHA test battery, evaluating cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and motor skills fitness. Data were analyzed using independent and paired samples t-tests and a two-way repeated measures ANOVA to assess changes over time and between groups. Discriminant function analysis evaluated the ALPHA test’s ability to classify students based on their athletic status pre- and post-pandemic.ResultsInitially, athlete students exhibited significantly better BMI, 20 m shuttle run, and 4 × 10 m speed run scores compared to their non-athlete peers. After the pandemic, only the 20 m shuttle run scores remained significantly higher for athletes, with diminished distinctions in other fitness areas. The classification accuracy of the ALPHA test battery decreased from 89.7 to 75.9% post-pandemic.ConclusionThe enforced sedentary lifestyle due to the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected all students, particularly diminishing health-related fitness parameters such as body composition, cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal strength, and motor skills. Students previously engaged in regular physical activity, notably school athletes, experienced significant fitness declines. This highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to encourage active lifestyles among youth in the post-pandemic phase, aiming to avert long-term adverse health outcomes.

The Role of School Sports in Shaping Student Identity and Social Relationships

This qualitative study explores the impact of school sports on student identity and social relationships in Vietnamese secondary schools. Employing in-depth interviews, focus groups, and observational methods, the research examines the experiences of students, coaches, and administrators across three distinct school settings. Findings indicate that participation in school sports significantly enhances students' self-perception and identity, facilitates robust social connections, and fosters community. Additionally, the study reveals that school sports programs are efeectively integrated with Vietnamese cultural values, particularly emphasizing collectivism and community orientation. However, gender difeerences in sports participation highlight the need for more inclusive and gender-sensitive program designs. The study also identifies challenges related to resource limitations and balancing academic and sports commitments, suggesting areas for policy enhancement. This research contributes to the broader understanding of the educational value of extracurricular activities. It underscores the potential of school sports as a tool for personal and social development in academic settings. Importantly, the findings ofeer practical and actionable insights for educators and policymakers, providing a roadmap to optimize the benefits of school sports programs.

Reported Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Incidence in Adolescent Athletes Is Greatest in Female Soccer Players and Athletes Participating in Club Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

To identify the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in adolescent athletes based on sex, sport, and sport affiliation. A literature search was performed using 3 online databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, andEMBASE) from database inception to November 2023 per the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Included studies consisted of Level I or II studies reporting on ACL injury exposures in time (hours) or injuries per 1,000 athlete-exposures (AEs) (1 game or practice) in adolescent athletes. Exclusion criteria consisted of non-English studies, case reports, animal/cadaveric studies, and review articles. Methodological quality and bias assessment of the included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort andCross-Sectional Studies. ACL injuries were analyzed and pooled to calculate incidence rates (IRs), per-season risk, and relative risk (RR) based on sex, sport, and sport affiliation (club sport participation vs school sport participation). A total of 1,389 ACL injuries over 19,134,167 AEs were identified (IR, 0.075; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.071-0.079). Of these, 670 ACL injuries were reported in female athletes over 7,549,892 AEs (IR, 0.089; 95% CI, 0.087-0.091) with 719 in males over 11,584,275 AEs (IR, 0.062; 95% CI, 0.058-0.067). The greatest RR for ACL injury in females was in soccer (RR, 3.12; 95% CI, 2.58-3.77) for AEs. The greatest per-season risk of ACL injuries reported in female athletes occurred in soccer (1.08%), basketball (1.03%), and gymnastics (1.01%). The greatest per-season risk of ACL injuries reported in male athletes occurred in football (0.82%), lacrosse (0.64%), and soccer (0.35%). Club sport participation, in both AEs (RR, 3.94; 95% CI, 3.19-4.87) and hours of exposure (RR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.07-2.28), demonstrated an increased risk of ACL injury. The risk of ACL injuries was 1.56-fold greater in adolescent female athletes compared with male athletes. The highest-risk sport for females was soccer. Participation in club sports possessed higher rates of injury compared with school sports. Level II; meta-analysis of Level I and II studies.

Cultural Threat, Outgroup Discrimination, and Attitudes toward Transgender Rights

AbstractScholars often highlight the roles that group threat and intergroup solidarity play in shaping attitudes toward outgroups. Competition among social groups, including over values and culture, can underlie negative attitudes toward outgroups. Meanwhile, perceptions of discrimination against outgroups can drive feelings of solidarity, sympathy, or empathy, which may foster more positive attitudes. These social identity concepts are often studied in the context of racial, ethnic, and religious prejudice, with less attention to how they apply to attitudes toward transgender and gender diverse people. Using a 2022 national survey, we assess how respondents’ perceptions of cultural threat from the LGBTQ community and perceptions of discrimination among a range of outgroups are related to attitudes about transgender rights policies, including access to public restrooms, participation in school sports, and medical transition care. We find that cultural threat is consistently associated with support for policies that restrict the rights of transgender people, but perceived outgroup discrimination tends not to show a significant relationship with these attitudes.

The Relationship between School Sports Participation and Academic Performance: A Comprehensive Review

This paper delves into the intricate relationship between school sports participation and academic performance among children and adolescents. It explores three primary types of physical activity in schools: physical education classes, school sports, and free-time activities. While physical education is typically mandated, school sports represent a voluntary but popular form of physical activity. The paper investigates existing literature on the impact of school sports on academic outcomes, considering both biological and social mechanisms. It examineshow sports participation influences cognitive function, brain structure, and academic achievement. Additionally, the paper explores the development of key skills consistent with educational values, the role of social relations, and the psychological benefits associated with sports participation. Moreover, it scrutinizes potential drawbacks such as time allocation and energy devoted to sports at the expense of academic pursuits. The synthesis of findings reveals a nuanced relationship, emphasizing the need for further research to elucidate causal mechanisms and inform educational policies promoting holistic development. Keywords: Sports Participation, Academic Achievement, Cognitive Benefits, Athletic Identity, Competitive Sports

The Impact of the Emotional Responses of Korean Students Participating in School Sports.

Physical education in schools improves students' health, physical strength, and lifelong physical engagement. Therefore, participation must be encouraged. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional responses and participation satisfaction, word-of-mouth (WOM) praise, and WOM activity in students participating in school sports. Few studies have considered WOM praise and activity separately. This study addresses this gap in the literature. In 2023, a survey of total of 345 students in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, was conducted using convenience sampling. Data processing included factor analysis to verify validity and reliability, correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses. The results confirmed a relationship between the emotional responses of students and satisfaction with participation. The emotional responses (ventilation [P<0.001], sense of dominance [P<0.001]) significantly affected participation satisfaction, and the latter had a possible causal relationship with WOM praise (P<0.001) and activity (P<0.001). The emotional responses of school sports participants were related to participation satisfaction, WOM praise, and WOM activity. Participation satisfaction significantly affected WOM praise and WOM activity. Therefore, to contribute to students' lifelong health, school sports programs should be developed and implemented to induce positive emotional responses, ensure students' participation in school sports, and improve their future quality of life.

ACL Injury Prevention Education Improves Implementation of Neuromuscular Training Among High School Sports Coaches: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Neuromuscular training (NMT) programs delivered by trained personnel have demonstrated protective effects against anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury among high school sports participants, but few studies have investigated the impact of education on high school sports coaches' knowledge and incorporation of NMT programs into daily practice sessions. We sought to evaluate changes in knowledge and behavior among high school sports coaches who completed an NMT-based injury prevention training program. High school sports coaches were invited to complete a free online training course in incorporating NMT into daily practice sessions. Anonymized surveys were administered before and after education and at 3 months to evaluate knowledge level and program effectiveness. Of the 13,640 coaches who enrolled in the training course in 2019, 1641 submitted pre- and post-education and 3-month follow-up surveys. Prior to training, 4.4% reported incorporating NMT into daily training sessions and the mean knowledge score was 1.89 ± 1.55. After training, 92.7% of participants reported that they intended to incorporate NMT into their daily training sessions and the mean knowledge score was 4.87 ± 1.11. At 3-month follow-up, 88.9% of participants reported incorporating NMT into daily training sessions. A chi-square test revealed a significant association between pre- and post-education incorporation of NMT into daily practice sessions, and a multiple regression analysis resulted in a significant model with intent to incorporate NMT into daily practice sessions identified as a significant behavior predictor. These survey results show that completion of a training course significantly improved ACL injury prevention knowledge among a cohort of high school sports coaches and likely contributed to the sustained incorporation of NMT into their daily practice sessions.

Inequalities in Girls’ High School Sports Participation: How Social Class, Race/Ethnicity, and Gender Route Opportunities to Play and Persist in Athletics

ABSTRACT High school athletics are understudied sites for social and educational stratification. Participation can offer mental and physical health benefits, improved student retention and graduation rates, the encouragement of pro-social behaviors, resume building, and enhanced social statuses. Despite legal prohibitions against race and gender discrimination in schools, opportunities to play and persist in interscholastic athletics may reflect and amplify existing social and educational stratification processes. Using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods research design, this study centers on girls’ high school sports and considers how gender, race/ethnicity, and social class operate at the individual, interactional, cultural, and institutional levels and encourage proclivities, commitments, and support for participation. We combine qualitative (N = 28 women and 47 total college athletes) and quantitative (N = 4,271 high school students) studies to inquire about how, and to what extent, racial/ethnic and social-class dynamics affect girls playing any and specific high school sports and whether they play persistently. Findings suggest that schools co-construct unequal athletic opportunity structures by nurturing and rewarding a cultivated athletic habitus associated with masculinity, whiteness, and affluent dispositions. These processes disguise athletic advantages and successes as well-earned merit and restrict who is most likely to receive the individual and social benefits of high school sports participation.

Opioids and Youth Athletes.

The ongoing opioid epidemic and associated adverse effects impart a large burden on our current healthcare system. The annual economic and noneconomic cost of opioid use disorder and fatal opioid overdose is currently estimated at $1 trillion. This review presents the prevalence, frequency of use, need, and effectiveness of opioid analgesia in the youth and adolescent athlete population. It identifies current indications for opioid versus nonopioid analgesic use in the setting of acute orthopaedic injuries, postoperative management, concussion, and chronic pain. Current knowledge of youth athlete opioid use, risks related to use, misuse, diversion, and addiction are reviewed. A PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Library search was conducted in February 2023 to review opioid pain management strategies in the pediatric athlete population from 2000 to present. Searches were restricted to English language articles and human subjects. Initial reviews of titles and abstracts were performed by all authors and relevant full-text articles were selected. Priority was given to systematic and narrative reviews, meta-analyses, and prospective studies. Narrative review. Level 3. First author name, publication year, study design, study country, subject demographics, and data on the frequency, type, and duration of analgesic treatments for musculoskeletal injuries, postsurgical care, chronic pain disorders, and concussion were extracted. Pediatric athletes comprise a high-risk population seeking analgesic relief for injury-related pain. Participation in high school sports is associated with increased risk of opioid use. An average of 28% to 46% of high school athletes have used opioids in their lifetime. Participation in ≥1 high school sport puts adolescents at 30% greater odds of future opioid misuse. The use of opioids in the pediatric athlete population is common and associated with both short- and long-term risks of misuse and addiction.

Early-Life Social Determinants of SCA6 Age at Onset, Severity, and Progression

SCA6 patients with the same size CAG repeat allele can vary significantly in age at onset (AAO) and clinical progression. The specific external factors affecting SCA6 have yet to be investigated. We assessed the effect of early life events on AAO, severity, and progression in SCA6 patients using a social determinant of health approach. We performed a survey of biological and social factors in SCA6 patients enrolled in the SCA6 Network at the University of Chicago. AAO of ataxia symptoms and patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) of ataxia were used as primary outcome measures. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operation (LASSO) regressions were used to identify which early life factors are predictive of SCA6 AAO, severity, and progression. Multiple linear regression models were then used to assess the degree to which these determinants influence SCA6 health outcomes. A total of 105 participants with genetically confirmed SCA6 completed the assessments. SCA6 participants with maternal difficulty during pregnancy, active participation in school sports, and/or longer CAG repeats were determined to have earlier AAO. We found a 13.44-year earlier AAO for those with maternal difficulty in pregnancy than those without (p = 0.008) and a 12.31-year earlier AAO for those active in school sports than those who were not (p < 0.001). Higher education attainment was associated with decreased SCA6 severity and slower progression. Early life biological and social factors can have a strong influence on the SCA6 disease course, indicating that non-genetic factors can contribute significantly to SCA6 health outcomes.

Overweight and Obesity Among In-School Children and Adolescents (5-19 Years) in Ghana: A Scoping Review of Prevalence and Risk Factors.

Overweight and obesity are linked to the severity of infections and the development of chronic conditions among children and adolescents in Ghana. Hence, estimating the current prevalence and its determinants is imperative to guide public health interventions. This review mapped evidence on the prevalence and determinants of overweight and obesity among in-school children and adolescents (aged 5-19 years) in Ghana. Three main databases (PubMed, Central, and JSTOR) were searched for studies conducted in Ghana. Also, the study included only studies published online between 2010 and 2022. The search produced 1214 records, with an additional 23 identified through a search conducted in Google, Google Scholar, the WHO library, HINARI, and institutional repositories. After a thorough screening, 24 records were synthesized. The prevalence of overweight/obesity among the 23,663 in-school children and adolescents in Ghana was 0.5%-47.06%. Females have higher odds of being overweight than males. In addition, lack of nutrition and physical activity (PA) knowledge and low participation in school sports and physical activities exposed in-school children and adolescents in Ghana to overweight and obesity. Consumption of unhealthy foods, late bed, smoking, loneliness, watching television, and playing computer games exposed schoolchildren and adolescents in Ghana to overweight and obesity. There are relatively high levels of overweight and obesity among school-going children and adolescents in Ghana. Addressing sex gaps in PA, ensuring healthy eating, and limiting sedentary lifestyles is the surest way to promote healthy weight among in-school children and adolescents in Ghana.

Comparison of Life Skills between Intercollegiate Athletes and Non-Athletes of Government Girls Higher Secondary Schools of District Mardan, Pakistan

This study aimed to compare the life skills about interpersonal relationship skills, stress management skills, and decision-making skills amongst intercollegiate athletes and non-athletes of government girls’ higher secondary schools in district Mardan, Pakistan. The researcher followed a descriptive survey research design to meet the set objectives of the study. girl athletes and non-athletes from Government Higher Secondary schools of District, Mardan with age range 15-21 years of class 9th, 10th, 1st year, and 2nd year constituted the target population for the current study. A close-ended adapted questionnaire University of Pretoria (South Africa) using a Likert scale from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree” was used to collect the required information from the participants consisting of girls’ athletes and non-athletes from government higher secondary schools of district, Mardan. A total of 568 questionnaires were administered among the participants and 468 questionnaires with (an 82.39%) ratios were received back. For an inclusive assessment of life skills, different attributes were labeled to each life skill, whereas all 34 items were assigned to 04 skills in the questionnaire. The collected data were properly tabulated and processed through descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The findings of the study indicated that sport has produced a positive role in the development of life skills among athletes as compared with non-athletes. This finding can be helpful for those who intend to develop and promote the sport in their respective areas. It has been concluded that participants acknowledged the role that sport has essential in the development of life skills such as interpersonal relationships (2.90), stress management (2.37), decision making (2.66), and problem-solving skills (2.49). However, it was noticed that urban school athletes produced a higher mean score on one life skill such as interpersonal relationships (2.93) and the rest of life skills mean scores are lower. It is recommended that school sports participation of girls may be ensured/enhanced to develop and promote the positive life skills necessary for products as well as a dynamic role in society.

The culture of sport: examining the effect of athletic participation on the acceptance of rape myths

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between athletic participation and the acceptance of rape myths in an effort to further identify cultural and social institutions that may contribute to adherence to and glorification of rape culture.Design/methodology/approachA random sample of 685 first semester, university freshmen were surveyed about their high school sports participation and levels of rape myth acceptance (RMA). Linear regression models were estimated to examine the relationships between participation in sports, the type of sport participation and the acceptance of rape myths.FindingsThose involved in athletics, generally, and those involved in team sports are more accepting of rape myths than are their counterparts. These results hold true for the full sample and for males and females, when examined separately. Participation in contact sports was not significantly predictive of RMA.Practical implicationsAthletics may provide a culture that is particularly prone to a belief in rape myths, which jeopardizes the integrity of collegiate sports. Policies should focus on changing offender behavior not victim behavior to create safer and more inclusive communities. Educating youth about the nature of rape myths and providing them with skills to resist such thinking is paramount. Focused programs and training could reduce the likelihood of accepting rape myths and, in turn, may make high school and college campuses safer.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to prior research by examining a sample of first semester university freshmen about their high school athletic participation and RMA. This research not only minimizes the effects of college level influences but also distinguishes between different forms of athletic involvement.

Playing for more than winning: Exploring sports participation, physical activity, and belongingness and their relationship with patterns of adolescent substance use and mental health

BackgroundPromoting adolescent sports participation and physical activity may be effective low-barrier prevention strategies for co-occurring adolescent substance use (SU) and mental health symptoms (MH). The objectives of this study were to: 1) explore associations between profiles of SU/MH and sports participation; and 2) determine whether physical activity and belongingness account for these associations. MethodsData came from a representative sample of 11,994 grade 9–12 Ontarian students (ages ~14–18) previously grouped into five SU/MH profiles based on patterns of use and symptoms. A series of multinomial logistic regressions, adjusted for socio-demographics and school clustering, were used to predict the risks of students belonging to SU/MH profiles based on: 1) school sports participation (>=weekly), 2) sports and physical activity (>=60minutes; 0–7 days), and 3) sports, physical activity, and school belongingness. ResultsGreater school sports participation, physical activity, and belongingness were each associated with reduced risks of belonging to most profiles with elevations in SU and/or MH symptoms relative to the low SU/MH profile (Relative Risk Ratios: sports=0.62–0.87, physical activity=0.78–0.98, belonging=0.75–0.83). Frequency of physical activity accounted for ~32–60% of the associations between sports and SU/MH profiles, while school belongingness accounted for the remaining associations. Physical activity and belongingness remained independently associated with SU/MH profiles. ConclusionsFindings suggest possible indirect associations between school sports participation and SU/MH profiles through physical activity and school belongingness, which may be promising prevention targets that have independent associations over and above sports. School sports participation may be one of a number of ways to achieve these goals.

Preventing Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries in High School Sports Participants: An Executive Summary of the Inaugural Meeting of the National ACL Injury Coalition.

To address the increasing rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury among young sports participants, the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and the Aspen Institute convened a meeting of a new national coalition to make ACL injury prevention a fundamental aspect of youth sports. This executive summary outlines the National ACL Injury Coalition's goals as defined at its inaugural meeting held at HSS on March 27, 2023. Using a theory of change called "collective impact" designed to support collaboration and drive systems-level change, the coalition focused on 4 strategic priorities intended to reduce ACL injury rates in high school sports participants: widespread implementation of interventions (ensuring that student athletes are adequately trained), high-quality education (raising awareness among many stakeholders), equitable access (ensuring that all high school sports participants, regardless of the resources available at their schools, have access to injury prevention resources), and aligning stakeholders (uniting disparate entities-schools, sports clubs, parents, coaches, and others in these efforts). The group outlined short-range, medium-range, and long-range goals over a 3-year period, including the launch of an ACL injury prevention toolkit for use by adolescent sports participants and teams, athletic trainers, coaches, and other key stakeholders.

School attendance and sport participation amongst children with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional analysis from the Kids with CKD (KCAD) study.

School attendance and life participation, particularly sport, is a high priority for children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study is aimed at assessing the association between CKD stage, sports participation, and school absences in children with CKD. Using data from the binational Kids with CKD study (ages 6-18years, n = 377), we performed multivariable regression to evaluate the association between CKD stage, school absences, and sports participation. Overall, 62% of participants played sport with the most frequent sport activities engaged in being swimming (17%) and soccer (17%). Compared to children with CKD 1-2, the incidence rate ratios (IRR) (95% CI) for sports participation amongst children with CKD 3-5, dialysis, or transplant were 0.84 (0.64-1.09), 0.59 (0.39-0.90), and 0.75 (0.58-0.96), respectively. The median (IQR) days of school absences within a four-week period were 1day (0-1), with children on dialysis reporting the highest number of school absences (9days (5-15)), followed by transplant recipients (2days (1-7)), children with CKD 3-5 (1day (0-3)), and with CKD 1-2 (1day (0-3)). Duration of CKD modified the association between CKD stage and school absences, with children with a transplant experiencing a higher number of missed school days with increasing duration of CKD, but not in children with CKD 1-5 or on dialysis (p-interaction < 0.01). Children receiving dialysis and with a kidney transplant had greater school absences and played fewer sports compared to children with CKD stages 1-2. Innovative strategies to improve school attendance and sport participation are needed to improve life participation of children with CKD.

O.6.3-4 Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity in the Island of Ireland: a cross-sectional study comparing differences in participation between 2018 and 2022

Abstract Purpose Given the many policies and interventions aimed at increasing physical activity (PA), it is important to understand how levels of PA, sport participation and active travel change over time. The purpose of this study is to assess the participation levels of children and adolescents in sport, PA and active travel in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) and compare differences in participation between 2018 and 2022. Methods A cross-sectional survey was completed by a sample of schoolchildren in 2018 and in 2022 through the Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity (CSPPA) study. A representative sample of primary (n = 1549 in 2018, n = 1758 in 2022) and post-primary (n = 5102 in 2018, n = 7123 in 2022) pupils were surveyed in school using standardised self-report PA and sport participation measures. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analyses, linear regression and logistic regression were run for outcome variables. Results Reported participation in daily PA increased at both school levels in NI and RoI between 2018 and 2022 with an increased proportion of pupils meeting the recommended levels of PA (NI: 13% in 2018 and 17% in 2022, RoI: 13% in 2018 and 15% in 2022). The proportion of children taking part in sport at least once a week increased over the last four years at both school levels in NI and RoI. Active travel to or from primary school increased from 36% in 2018 to 40% in 2022 in NI and from 42% in 2018 to 43% in 2022 in RoI. There was no change in the level of self-reported active travel for post-primary pupils in NI. However, reported engagement in active travel decreased from 40% to 35% in RoI. Conclusions The findings from this study suggest small increases in participation in self-reported daily PA, school sport, and community sport between 2018 and 2022. Despite this, participation rates and engagement with active travel remain low. These findings are important for policymakers seeking to address inactivity in children and adolescents in Ireland. Support/Funding Source This study is funded by Sport Ireland, Healthy Ireland and Sport NI, with support from the Departments of Health and Education in ROI.

Factors and Effects of High School Sport Participation on Young Adult Physical, Mental, and Social Health

Factors and Effects of High School Sport Participation on Young Adult Physical, Mental, and Social Health