A Longitudinal Study of the Effect of Organized Physical Activity on Free Active Play

Purpose The relationship between organized sport participation and positive youth development is well established. However, over-involvement in sport and organized physical activity (e.g., dance) has been identified as having a potentially negative impact. Over-scheduling and its impact on free play is one concern, given the importance of free play to overall health and development. Currently, it is not known if greater participation in organized sport has a positive or negative effect on discretionary free play in children and youth. Methods The Physical Health and Activity Study Team (PHAST) study was a five-year, longitudinal cohort study that followed 2278 fourth grade children (ages 9 to 10 years). Organized sport and free play was assessed at in the fall of each school year from fifth to eighth grade using self-report questionnaires. Results Using mixed effects modeling, we found that higher participation in organized sport was associated with increased participation in free play over time (Coef = 0.20, p<.001 while this effect was independent of age and socioeconomic status we did find that boys with high levels organized participation reported the highest free play overall. conclusion possible explanations for association are related to role sport might in supporting physical literacy development fundamental movement skills allowing children participate more active pursuits. it also be case simply seek out both unorganized activity opportunities during developmental period. limitations implications further research policy discussed. corresponding author: john cairney faculty kinesiology education university toronto harbord st on canada m5s tel.: e-mail address: john.cairney authors declare they have no competing interests. results study presented clearly honestly without fabrication falsification or inappropriate data manipulation. present do not constitute endorsement by acsm. supported canadian institutes health no. american college sports medicine>

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