Physical Literacy, Physical Activity, and Health Indicators in School-Age Children

Hilary A.T. Caldwell, Natascja A. Di Cristofaro, John Cairney, Steven R. Bray, Maureen J. MacDonald and Brian W. Timmons
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Hilary A.T. Caldwell: Child Health and Exercise Medicine Program, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Natascja A. Di Cristofaro: Child Health and Exercise Medicine Program, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
John Cairney: School of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
Steven R. Bray: Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Maureen J. MacDonald: Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Brian W. Timmons: Child Health and Exercise Medicine Program, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-12

Abstract: It has been theorized that physical literacy is associated with physical activity and health. The purpose of this study is to investigate the associations between physical literacy and health, and if this relationship is mediated by moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Two hundred and twenty-two children (113 girls, 10.7 ± 1.0 years old) participated in this cross-sectional study. A physical literacy composite score was computed from measures of PLAYfun, PLAYparent, and PLAYself. Physical activity was measured over seven days with accelerometers, expressed as MVPA (min/day). Health indicators included: body composition (percent body fat), aerobic fitness (treadmill time and 60s heart rate recovery), resting systolic blood pressure, and quality of life. Physical literacy was significantly associated ( p < 0.001) with percent body fat (R 2 = 0.23), treadmill time (R 2 = 0.21), 60 s heart rate recovery (R 2 = 0.36), systolic blood pressure (R 2 = 0.11), and quality of life (R 2 = 0.11). The relationships between physical literacy and aerobic fitness, but not other health indicators, were directly mediated by MVPA. Higher physical literacy in children is associated with favorable health indicators, and the relationships between physical literacy and aerobic fitness were influenced by MVPA. Future work should examine these relationships longitudinally and determine if changes in physical literacy leads to changes in health.

Keywords: youth; aerobic fitness–body composition; blood pressure; quality of life; mediation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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