Rohan M Telford1, Richard D Telford2, Thomas Cochrane3, Ross B Cunningham4, Lisa S Olive5, Rachel Davey6. 1. Centre for Research and Action in Public Health, University of Canberra, Australia. Electronic address: rohan@look.org.au. 2. Medical School, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, Australian National University, Australia; Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Australia. Electronic address: richard.telford@look.org.au. 3. Centre for Research and Action in Public Health, University of Canberra, Australia. Electronic address: tom.cochrane@canberra.edu.au. 4. Fenner School of Environment and Society, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, Australian National University, Australia. Electronic address: ross.cunningham@anu.edu.au. 5. Department of Psychology, Australian National University, Australia. Electronic address: lisa.olive@anu.edu.au. 6. Centre for Research and Action in Public Health, University of Canberra, Australia. Electronic address: rachel.davey@canberra.edu.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the longitudinal effect of sport participation in physical activity, fitness and body fat changes during childhood and adolescence. DESIGN: Longitudinal study (134 boys, 155 girls) of Australian youth aged 8-16 years. METHODS: Physical activity was assessed by pedometers and accelerometers, fitness by the 20m shuttle-run, body fat by DEXA and club sport participation by questionnaire. Linear mixed models were used to determine the effects of sport participation and gender differences. RESULTS: Sports club participants were more physically active at all age groups than non-participants; boys took an extra 1800 steps (p<0.001) and girls 590 steps per day (p<0.01) and boys engaged in an extra 9min and girls 6min more moderate to vigorous PA per day (both p<0.05). Fitness was higher among sports participants (boys 27% and girls 20% higher, both p<0.001) and sport participant girls had 2.9% less body fat (p<0.05). Higher fitness scores were maintained over time by sports participants but their greater PA diminished during adolescence, this being more evident among girls. Only 20% of sports club participants met the recommended daily average of 60min MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: Sport participants were more active, fitter and had less body fat (girls only) than non-sports participants. However, the associated benefits of sport with PA diminished during adolescence and the majority of sports participants did not meet recommended levels of PA. Strategies aiming to maximise the benefits of sports participation may be enhanced by providing special attention to the early adolescent period particularly among girls.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the longitudinal effect of sport participation in physical activity, fitness and body fat changes during childhood and adolescence. DESIGN: Longitudinal study (134 boys, 155 girls) of Australian youth aged 8-16 years. METHODS: Physical activity was assessed by pedometers and accelerometers, fitness by the 20m shuttle-run, body fat by DEXA and club sport participation by questionnaire. Linear mixed models were used to determine the effects of sport participation and gender differences. RESULTS: Sports clubparticipants were more physically active at all age groups than non-participants; boys took an extra 1800 steps (p<0.001) and girls 590 steps per day (p<0.01) and boys engaged in an extra 9min and girls 6min more moderate to vigorous PA per day (both p<0.05). Fitness was higher among sports participants (boys 27% and girls 20% higher, both p<0.001) and sport participantgirls had 2.9% less body fat (p<0.05). Higher fitness scores were maintained over time by sports participants but their greater PA diminished during adolescence, this being more evident among girls. Only 20% of sports clubparticipants met the recommended daily average of 60min MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: Sport participants were more active, fitter and had less body fat (girls only) than non-sports participants. However, the associated benefits of sport with PA diminished during adolescence and the majority of sports participants did not meet recommended levels of PA. Strategies aiming to maximise the benefits of sports participation may be enhanced by providing special attention to the early adolescent period particularly among girls.
Authors: Jordan J Smith; Narelle Eather; R Glenn Weaver; Nicholas Riley; Michael W Beets; David R Lubans Journal: Sports Med Date: 2019-06 Impact factor: 11.136
Authors: Mirela Sunda; Barbara Gilic; Damir Sekulic; Radenko Matic; Patrik Drid; Dan Iulian Alexe; Gheorghe Gabriel Cucui; Gabriel Stanica Lupu Journal: Children (Basel) Date: 2022-05-20