A1 Journal article (refereed)
Longitudinal relationship between organised and non‐organised physical activities and overall physical activity in children aged 3–11 years (2024)

Luukkainen, N., Laukkanen, A., Niemistö, D., Kotkajuuri, J., Meklin, E., & Sääkslahti, A. (2024). Longitudinal relationship between organised and non‐organised physical activities and overall physical activity in children aged 3–11 years. European Journal of Sport Science, 24(8), 1197-1206. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsc.12172

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Luukkainen, Nanne‐Mari; Laukkanen, Arto; Niemistö, Donna; Kotkajuuri, Jimi; Meklin, Elina; Sääkslahti, Arja

Journal or series: European Journal of Sport Science

ISSN: 1746-1391

eISSN: 1536-7290

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 25/07/2024

Volume: 24

Issue number: 8

Pages range: 1197-1206

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsc.12172

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/96688

Abstract

Young children's physical activity (PA) has been decreasing while their sports participation has been increasing. Therefore, the aim of this research was to longitudinally examine whether and, if so, how organised and non-organised PA participation by early childhood education and care (ECEC)-aged children (T1; 3–8 years) predicted their accelerometer-measured PA at primary school age (T2; 7–11 years). Secondarily, changes in organised and non-organised PA participation over time were investigated. The cluster-randomised study participants comprised 501 Finnish children (52.3% girls: T1, Mage = 5.57 ± 1.06; T2, Mage = 8.80 ± 1.07). PA participation was queried via guardian questionnaire at T1 and T2. Organised PA participation was operationalised as non-participation, participation in one sport or multisport (two or more) participation; non-organised PA was operationalised as time spent outdoors on weekdays and on weekend days. PA at T2 was measured using accelerometers. The primary outcome was tested using linear regressions, while a paired sample t-test and Mann–Whitney U test assessed differences between T1 and T2. The results showed outdoor time and organised sports participation increased from T1 to T2. Moreover, outdoor time at T1 predicted more moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and less sedentary time at T2, while multisport participation predicted significantly more MVPA and less sedentary time at T2. Overall, being outdoors and multisport participation at younger ages appear to have predicted Finnish children's later (MV) PA and sedentary behaviour.

Keywords: childhood; physical activity; outdoor recreation; physical hobbies; inactivity

Free keywords: childhood; moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity; multisport; organised sport; outdoor time; sedentary time

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1