RIS ID
89981
Abstract
Objective
To investigate the longitudinal association between sports participation and parent-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children.
Study design
Cohort study that used data drawn from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children in waves 3 (2008) and 4 (2010). Participants were a nationally representative sample of 4042 Australian children ages 8.25 (SD = 0.44) years at baseline and followed-up 24 months later.
Results
After we adjusted for multiple covariates, children who continued to participate in sports between the ages of 8 and 10 years had greater parent-reported HRQOL at age 10 (Eta2 = .02) compared with children who did not participate in sports (P ≤ .001), children who commenced participation after 8 years of age (P = .004), and children who dropped out of sports before reaching 10 years of age (P = .04). Children who participated in both team and individual sports (P = .02) or team sports alone (P = .04) had greater HRQOL compared with children who participated in individual sports alone (Eta2 = .01). The benefits of sports participation were strongest for girls (P < .05; Eta2 = .003).
Conclusions
Children's participation in developmentally appropriate team sports helps to protect HRQOL and should be encouraged at an early age and maintained for as long as possible.
Publication Details
Vella, S. A., Cliff, D. P., Magee, C. A. & Okely, A. D. (2014). Sports participation and parent-reported health-related quality of life in children: Longitudinal associations. Journal of Pediatrics, 164 (6), 1469-1474.