Physical Activity Levels and Sleep in Schoolchildren (6–17) with and without School Sport

Abstract

There is strong evidence to support the association between daily physical activity and sleep parameters in children and adolescents. Physical activity and outdoor play are favourably associated with most sleep outcomes in school children. The aim is to find out the levels of physical activity and the quality of sleep in Basque schoolchildren aged between six and seventeen and to analyse the possible differences between those who carry out some kind of physical sports activity and those who do not. The sample consisted of 1082 schoolchildren (50.1% male and 49.9% female). Differences between groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test (2 samples) and Kruskal–Wallis one-factor ANOVA (k samples). A total of 723 (66.94%) of the participants said they practiced some physical sports activity. The accelerometers obtained significant differences in all levels of physical activity, as well as in sleep efficiency, with higher levels of physical activity (sedentary p = 0.001; light p = 0.017; moderate p = 0.009; vigorous p = 0.001 and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity p = 0.002) and better sleep efficiency (p = 0.002) in those schoolchildren who perform some type of physical sports activity. A significant difference in time spent in sedentary activities was also observed between primary and secondary school pupils of both sexes and regardless of the degree of physical sports activity completion.

Canicross Pilot Programme: Basic Considerations for Its Implementation as an Extracurricular Sports Activity

“…In the Basque Country, current data on PA levels are in line with global trends, where a recent study shows significant differences (p < 0.05) in terms of the minutes of weekly sedentary behaviour presented by adolescents (613.59 ± 175.64) compared to children (498.84 ± 156.37) [39]. Such trends make it necessary to implement new strategies to motivate students [40].…”

Facebook addiction and sleep problems in peruvian university students after the COVID-19 pandemic

“…It is likely that these findings are due to younger students using nighttime hours for web browsing, social media, entertainment platforms, as well as academic activities or online gaming, which disrupts sleep habits [ [62] , [63] , [64] , [65] ]. Additionally, there are other factors that could precipitate sleep problems in this population, such as pressure or stress generated by maintaining adequate grades or economic and/or family difficulties [ [66] , [67] , [68] ].…”

Physical Activity Levels of Children Aged 9–11 Years in Indonesia

“…The increasing sedentary behavior in children and adolescents, especially in girls, requires intervention proposals consistent with current social realities that guide the development of projects to encourage physical activity. Therefore, even though at the curricular level in different subjects (especially physical education) content related to healthy lifestyles, physical conditions and the cleanliness of life of school children is touched on, it seems that this is not enough to improve living habits, so it needs to be developed new curricular proposals that are interdisciplinary or cross-sectoral in nature [19]. These activities can be included in school educational initiatives and outside school hours, where motor games dominate adult sports and competitions.…”

“…These activities can be included in school educational initiatives and outside school hours, where motor games dominate adult sports and competitions. There is extensive literature on the terminological conception of motor actions, their classification, and their derivation in sports activities [19], [20]. The integration of physical activity into online lessons may provide benefits.…”