School sport policy and school-based physical activity environments and their association with observed physical activity in middle school children

Abstract

Empirical research on the effects of school sport policies on children's physical activity is limited. This study examined sport policies (intramural vs. varsity), physical settings within schools, and supervision in relation to physical activity using the System for Observing Play and Leisure in Youth (SOPLAY). Data were collected on physical activity levels of children in four middle schools. Regression analyses assessed the main effects of sport policy, type of physical activity setting, and supervision as well as interactions. Regression models were stratified by gender. Children in intramural schools were more likely to use indoor spaces and be boys. Regression models indicated that varsity sport programs were associated with lower physical activity levels among boys but not girls. Significant associations between type of physical activity settings and physical activity levels were observed only for boys. Adult supervision was not associated with children's physical activity levels. Finally, descriptive results showed athletic facilities were under-utilized in all schools.

School Sport Participation Under Two School Sport Policies: Comparisons by Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and Socioeconomic Status

“…This finding is also somewhat expected as most IS sports have limited teams and spaces for students whereas IM sports accept all students who want to play. Furthermore, when combined with previous research, that boys exhibit higher physical activity levels in intramurals than interscholastic sports [20], these findings also suggest intramurals may be more effective than traditional interscholastic sports at increasing daily physical activity levels among middle school children.…”

“…These alternatives facilitate opportunities for more children to participate in sport and introduce children from diverse backgrounds to a wider variety of sports. For example, a recent study found that intramurals are associated with higher physical activity levels than interscholastic sports for boys [20]. Furthermore, exposure to different types of sports nurtures a sense of competence and enjoyment that last beyond a child's school years [18] and can set adult lifestyle patterns [21,22].…”

Socio-behavioral Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in Egyptian Primary School Children

“…So there is a critical need to arrange for the availability of a regular physical activity in schools specially that children spend most of their daily hours at school [42]. However, in our study there was no significant role for sport practice in development of overweight or obesity in children.…”

PACE: A group randomised controlled trial to increase children's break-time playground physical activity

“…11 This study was designed and analysed as a nested cross-sectional study with a pre to post-test control group design. To account for the clustered (or nested) nature of the data within each school the data was analysed using a linear mixed model (PROC MIXED in SAS V 9.2, SAS Inc Cary NC), 14 where treatment group within school was modelled as a random effect. The analysis adjusted for differences between schools at baseline.…”