Organized Sport Participation, Physical Activity, Sleep and Screen Time in 16-Year-Old Adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the association of different frequencies of organized sport participation (OSP) with physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, sleep, and screen time among adolescents. A cross-sectional study involving 315 16-year-old adolescents was conducted. OSP was self-reported, being categorized as 0 times a week, less than three times a week, 4–5 times a week, and 6–7 times a week, on average. Screen time was also self-reported but physical activity and sleep duration were objectively measured. Cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition were measured using a maximal cycle ergometer test and a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, respectively. An analysis of covariance revealed a significant association between OSP and physical activity (F (3, 286) = 14.53, p < 0.01), cardiorespiratory fitness (F (3, 236) = 17.64, p < 0.01), screen time (F (3, 294) = 8.14, p < 0.01), body fat percentage (F (3, 292) = 11.84, p < 0.01), and fat free mass (F (3, 290) = 5.76, p < 0.01. No significant association was found between OSP and sleep duration. Post hoc analyses showed that OSP at least four times a week was beneficial to favorable physical activity levels, cardiorespiratory fitness, screen time, and body composition and may therefore serve as a valuable tool in battling unhealthy lifestyle behaviors among adolescents.

Physical, Psychological, and Body Composition Differences between Active and Sedentary Adolescents According to the “Fat but Fit” Paradigm

“…One variable that could solve this problem would be the level of physical activity performed, but no previous research is known that has grouped adolescents according to this variable. The level of physical activity is related to adolescents’ health and physical fitness [ 26 ] and presents numerous valid and reliable ways of being measured, including electronic devices based on accelerometry, or self-reported questionnaires [ 27 ]. With respect to the self-reported questionnaires, the physical activity questionnaire for adolescents (PAQ-A) is the most valid and reliable in the adolescent population [ 28 ] and makes it possible to distinguish between active and sedentary adolescents [ 29 ].…”

Associations between organised sports participation, general health, stress, screen‐time and sleep duration in adolescents

“…Similar findings have been published in previous studies where screen‐time was significantly less in children participating in organised sports more than four times/week. 23 Earlier studies have also published significant results between OSP and cardiovascular fitness (CVF), highlighting the association between a lower amount of screen‐time and higher CVF in adolescents. 24 CVF has been sighted as an important health indicator for children and adolescent.…”

Organised and non‐organised activities contribute to overall physical activity levels in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome: a cross‐sectional study

“…2021; Saevarsson et al . 2021), but there are less consistent findings for non‐organised physical activities (Santos et al . 2009; Filanowski et al .…”

“…Organised and non-organised physical activities contribute in different ways to overall physical activity levels (Kjønniksen et al 2008). Organised physical activities are linked to vigorous physical activity in non-disabled adolescents and young adults (Filanowski et al 2019;Groffik et al 2021;Saevarsson et al 2021), but there are less consistent findings for non-organised physical activities (Santos et al 2009;Filanowski et al 2019).…”