Associations between in-school-hours physical activity and child health-related quality of life: A cross-sectional study in a sample of Australian primary school children

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to examine the association between Australian primary school children’s objectively measured in-school-hours weekly physical activity (PA) and their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A cross-sectional study of 1128 Grade 2 and 3 children, aged 7–9 years, from 62 primary schools was conducted in New South Wales, Australia between October 2017 and April 2018. Children’s PA was assessed via an accelerometer worn for five days during school hours. Their parents completed a telephone interview, answering demographic, child HRQoL and out-of-school-hours PA questions. Children’s in-school-hours PA was classified as total PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). HRQoL scores were aggregated and reported at the high construct level domains (Total Quality of Life (Total HRQoL), Physical and Psychosocial Health Summary Scores). Multiple linear mixed regression analyses accounting for clustering were conducted to evaluate the association between children’s in-school-hours weekly PA and their HRQoL. After adjusting for potential confounders, significant positive associations were found between children’s in-school-hours weekly total PA and Total HRQoL (0.62 units, 95% CI: 0.29; 0.94, p < 0.001), Physical (0.71 units, 95% CI: 0.38; 1.04, p ≤ 0.001) and Psychosocial (0.58 units, 95% CI: 0.19; 0.97, p = 0.004) scores, with a stronger association observed between average weekly MVPA than average weekly total PA. There were also positive associations between PA and HRQoL for each sex when analysed separately. Our findings demonstrate a positive association between children’s objectively-measured in-school-hours PA and parent-reported child HRQoL, strengthening evidence supporting the continued implementation of school-based PA programs for broader health outcomes.

The Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life in a Sample of Primary School Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…The main significant finding of this study was that a higher time spent in moderate intensity physical activity was positively associated with a higher health-related quality of life in children measured by the total PedsQL score. These results were in line with previous studies [ 8 , 19 , 61 ]. Indeed, the systematic review by Wu et al of meta-analyses confirmed that children with higher levels of physical activities had a better HRQoL [ 19 ].…”

Advanced analytical methods to assess physical activity behavior using accelerometer time series: A scoping review

“… 52 Similarly, a positive association between children's in‐school‐hours of MVPA and health‐related quality of life could be demonstrated. 53 The positive effect of especially the higher intensities of PA on physical fitness seems inconclusive in the literature. Previous reviews reported only low to moderate correlations between daily PA and physical fitness (here defined as maximum oxygen uptake) in adolescents, with no evidence that higher intensities are more closely related than lower intensities.…”

Eksistensi Permainan Tradisional sebagai Aktivitas Fisik Anak Usia Dini Pada Generasi Alfa

“…Aktivitas yang dilakukan anak pastinya tidak lepas dari bermain. Aktivitas Jasmani memiliki beberapa istilah yang sering digunakan, yaitu wellness, newness, dan opportunity (Shoesmith et al 2020). Berbagai istilah yang sering digunakan, mereka pada dasarnya memiliki arti yang sama, yang menggabungkan kesehatan fisik dan dunia lain.…”