The influence of recreational gymnastics at 4 to 6 years of age on physical activity levels at 8 to 10 years of age - 02/10/14
Résumé |
Introduction |
With the known health benefits of physical activity (PA), much attention has been spent investigating the effects of early PA participation in childhood on lifelong participation rates and adult health benefits. What is unknown is whether early childhood involvement in specific sports benefits PA levels in later childhood. We hypothesize that early childhood exposure to recreational gymnastics will positively influence PA levels in late childhood.
Methods |
Participants were drawn from the University of Saskatchewan's Young Recreational Gymnast Study (YRGS). One hundred and sixty three, 4 to 6-year-olds were recruited (91 gymnasts and 72 non-gymnasts). Participants were assessed annually for 4years. PA was serially assessed using the Netherlands Physical Activity Questionnaire; response range from 7 (low physical activity) to 35 (high physical activity). PA scores were correlated with age. Average PA scores were compared between groups and time points (independent t-test and repeated measures ANOVA) (α=0.05).
Results |
At study entry there were no significant difference in PA scores between gymnasts (25.0±3.0) and non-gymnasts (24.5±3.4) (P>0.05). The correlation between age and PA score was week (r=0.12, P>0.05). PA increased in both groups between study entry and study end (4years) (P<0.05), however there was no significant time by group interaction (P>0.05).
Conclusion |
Although PA did increase in all individuals over 4years, participating in recreational gymnastics did not appear to significantly influence an individual's PA level by 8 to 10years of age. This is probably due to the fact that participation in other sports, in both groups, was influencing PA in late childhood. However, since PA levels do not start to fall in childhood until early adolescent is reached, the effects of early gymnastic participation may be masked by the effects of normal PA development. Therefore further follow-up of this cohort is warranted.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Physical activity, Longitudinal, Gymnastics
Plan
Vol 29 - N° S
P. S31 - octobre 2014 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
L’accès au texte intégral de cet article nécessite un abonnement.
Déjà abonné à cette revue ?