Participation in sport in childhood and adolescence: Implications for adult fitness

Andrew Haynes; Joanne McVeigh; Sarah L Hissen; Erin K Howie; Peter R Eastwood; Leon Straker; Trevor A Mori; Lawrence Beilin; Philip N Ainslie; Daniel J Green

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2021.05.004

Participation in sport in childhood and adolescence: Implications for adult fitness

J Sci Med Sport. 2021 Sep;24(9):908-912. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.05.004. Epub 2021 May 12.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Australia.
² School of Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy & Social Work, Curtin University, Australia; Movement Physiology Laboratory, School of Physiology, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa.
³ Women's Heart Health Laboratory, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine at Texas Health, Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, USA; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA.
⁴ Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, USA; School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Australia.
⁵ College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Australia.
⁶ School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Australia.
⁷ Medical School, Royal Perth Hospital Unit, The University of Western Australia, Australia.
⁸ Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Science, The University of British Columbia, Canada.
⁹ School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: danny.green@uwa.edu.au.

PMID: 34059468
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.05.004

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate whether participation in sport during the developmental stages of life is associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in adulthood.

Design: Observational longitudinal study.

Methods: Participants were Generation 2 of the Raine Study. Questionnaires related to participation in sport were administered at ages 5, 8, 10, 14 and 17 years. These data were used to develop sex-specific trajectories of sports participation: (for males) Consistent Participators, Drop-Outs and Joiners; and (females) Consistent Participators, Non-Participators and Drop-Outs. At age 28.3 ± 0.6 years, participants completed a graded maximal exercise test (i.e. V̇O₂peak test). A General Linear Model assessed differences in CRF between trajectories.

Results: 402 participants n = 231 (57.5%) male, n = 171 (42.5%) female were included in the study. In males, Consistent Participators (all p < 0.001) and Joiners (p < 0.050) had greater fitness than Drop-Outs. In females, Consistent Participators had greater fitness than Non-Participators (p < 0.050), but there were no significant differences in fitness between Consistent Participators and Drop-Outs (p > 0.050) or Non-Participators and Drop-Outs (p > 0.050).

Conclusion: Participation in sport during childhood and adolescence is associated with greater fitness in adulthood, compared to individuals who never participate or those that cease participation in adolescence. A simple dichotomous question regarding sports participation over the childhood and adolescent period can be implemented to predict better fitness outcomes in young adulthood. Childhood and adolescence could be an opportune stage in life for parents, schools and governments to facilitate participation in sport and prevent drop out, as it may have an impact on long term risk reduction, with associated health and economic benefits.

Keywords: Adolescent; Child; Exercise test; Public health; Sports.

Publication types

Observational Study

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors*
Cardiorespiratory Fitness / physiology*
Child
Child, Preschool
Exercise Test
Female
Heart Rate / physiology
Humans
Linear Models
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Oxygen Consumption / physiology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Youth Sports / physiology*