Association of organized physical activity and levels of cardiorespiratory fitness with indicators of mental health in children

Abstract Aim: To verify the associations between organized physical activity out of school (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with indicators of mental health in children. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, with a sample of 226 students (47% girls) of public school in the south of Brazil aged between 6 to 11 years-old (8.36 ± 1.46). The cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by running and walking-test in six minutes, following the procedures of the “Brazil Sports Project”. PA was evaluated through a question and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire assessed mental health indicators. Generalized linear regressions were used with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: Total difficulties (β = 2.691; 95%CI, 0.181 to 5.200) and emotional symptoms (β = 1.528; 95%CI, 0.609 to 2.448) were inversely associated with PA. Total difficulties (β = -0.013; 95%CI, -0.022 to -0.003), hyperactivity/attention deficit (β = -0.002; 95%CI, -0.010 to -0.002), and peer relationship problems (β = -0.002; 95%CI, -0.003 to -0.001) were associated with CRF in boys. Conclusion: A total of difficulties and emotional problems presented an inverse association with PA. Further, CRF was inversely associated with total difficulties, hyperactivity-inattention, and peer relationship problems.

研究目的：旨在验证儿童课外有组织体育活动（physical activity，PA）、心肺适能（cardiorespiratory fitness，CRF）与心理健康指标之间的关联。
研究方法：本研究为横断面研究，纳入巴西南部公立学校的226名学生作为研究样本，其中女生占比47%，年龄介于6至11岁之间（平均年龄8.36±1.46岁）。心肺适能采用遵循“巴西体育项目”规程的6分钟跑走试验进行测定。通过调查问卷评估课外有组织体育活动，并采用长处与困难问卷（Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire）测定心理健康指标。本研究采用广义线性回归分析，置信区间设置为95%。
研究结果：总困难得分（β=2.691；95%CI：0.181~5.200）与情绪症状得分（β=1.528；95%CI：0.609~2.448）与课外有组织体育活动呈负相关。在男生群体中，总困难得分（β=-0.013；95%CI：-0.022~-0.003）、多动/注意缺陷得分（β=-0.002；95%CI：-0.010~-0.002）以及同伴关系问题得分（β=-0.002；95%CI：-0.003~-0.001）均与心肺适能呈负相关。
研究结论：总困难与情绪问题均与课外有组织体育活动呈负相关。此外，心肺适能与总困难得分、多动-注意缺陷得分以及同伴关系问题得分均呈负相关。