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Impact of Parental Education and Physical Activity on the Long-Term Development of the Physical Fitness of Primary School Children: An Observational Study

Author

Listed:
  • Gerhard Ruedl

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Martin Niedermeier

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Lukas Wimmer

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Vivien Ploner

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Elena Pocecco

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Armando Cocca

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Klaus Greier

    (Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
    Private Educational College, Division of Physical Education (KPH-ES), 6422 Stams, Austria)

Abstract

Low physical fitness (PF) has been associated with higher risk of suffering from different diseases. The importance of PF is evident already in early ages, as children’s PF appears to be a key factor of their future PF and physical activity level. Among the variables that may have an influence on children’s PF, the importance of parent’s socioeconomic status and active/inactive behaviors has been stressed in several previous studies. However, previous literature has mostly reported this association through cross-sectional studies. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of parental education and self-reported parental physical activity (PA) on their children’s development of PF during the 4-year duration of primary education. Using German Motor Test 6-18, the major components of PF (sprint velocity, coordination, flexibility, strength endurance, power, and endurance) were measured on a total of 371 children (46.9% girls, 30.6% migration background, 19.6% overweight/obese at the fourth test time point, compliance 70.1%) from 20 primary schools in Tyrol, Austria. Results showed that children with at least one parent with upper secondary education or above obtained significantly higher PF scores at all time points compared to children with both parents with lower secondary education and below. However, PF in both groups developed over time in a comparable manner irrespective of parental education. From the age of 9 years old, children with regularly physically active parents showed a stronger development of PF over the time compared to their peers with parents reporting irregular/no PA. Our results suggest that low-educated parents’ children might be considered a special target group for interventions aiming at increasing PF. More research is needed in order to delve into the potential underdevelopment of PF in 9-year-old children whose parents have low PA levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerhard Ruedl & Martin Niedermeier & Lukas Wimmer & Vivien Ploner & Elena Pocecco & Armando Cocca & Klaus Greier, 2021. "Impact of Parental Education and Physical Activity on the Long-Term Development of the Physical Fitness of Primary School Children: An Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8736-:d:617181
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mahmoud Zaqout & Krishna Vyncke & Luis A. Moreno & Pilar Miguel-Etayo & Fabio Lauria & Denes Molnar & Lauren Lissner & Monica Hunsberger & Toomas Veidebaum & Michael Tornaritis & Lucia A. Reisch & Kar, 2016. "Determinant factors of physical fitness in European children," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(5), pages 573-582, June.
    2. Armando Cocca & Francisco Espino Verdugo & Luis Tomás Ródenas Cuenca & Michaela Cocca, 2020. "Effect of a Game-Based Physical Education Program on Physical Fitness and Mental Health in Elementary School Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-13, July.
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    2. Zihan Tong & Zhenxing Kong & Xiao Jia & Jingjing Yu & Tingting Sun & Yimin Zhang, 2023. "Spatial Heterogeneity and Regional Clustering of Factors Influencing Chinese Adolescents’ Physical Fitness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-18, February.
    3. Guilherme Augusto Oliveira & Andressa Costa Marcelino & Maíra Tristão Parra & Marcus Vinicius Nascimento-Ferreira & Augusto César Ferreira De Moraes, 2022. "Validity and Reliability of Questionnaires That Assess Barriers and Facilitators of Sedentary Behavior in the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Zihan Tong & Zhenxing Kong & Xiao Jia & Hanyue Zhang & Yimin Zhang, 2022. "Multiscale Impact of Environmental and Socio-Economic Factors on Low Physical Fitness among Chinese Adolescents and Regionalized Coping Strategies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-24, October.

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