Over the past two decades, research has revealed that more young people are experiencing poor health. These health problems seem to start in adolescence and often continue later in life.
From a health promotion perspective, identifying factors that influence the health complaints of young people may help lower the chances of having similar symptoms in adulthood.
With this in mind, researchers investigated whether there was a relationship between health complaints and leisure time physical activity among 15-year-old children. They also examined whether physical activity had an impact on health complaints and stress levels.
Their long-term study was based on lifestyle and health questionnaires distributed and completed in school classrooms.
Inactive often means unwell
The study found that there was a direct relationship between school-related stress and reports of health complaints, with a high level of school-related stress related to a high level of complaints.
There was also a direct relationship between leisure time physical activity and health complaints, confirming that low levels of physical activity is related to a high level of health complaints.
The most important finding was that school-related stress was more closely related to health complaints for children who reported low levels of physical activity. This suggests that an increase in leisure time physical activity may lead to a lower level of health complaints in children.
The study concluded that from a public health perspective, all young people should participate in physical activity of at least moderate intensity for one hour per day.
Get kids on board
In order to achieve this goal, the authors suggest new approaches where physical activity educators collaborate with young people and health professionals to develop appropriate exercise programs.
The researchers believe that programs that adolescents and young people might take an interest in, may help upgrade the idea of "an hour a day" both in the minds of school administrators and young people themselves, enabling "behavioural styles for life".
Reference:
Haugland S, Wold B, Torsheim T (2003) Relieving the pressure? The role of physical activity in the relationship between school-related stress and adolescent health complaints. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 74: 127-135.
Related reading:
School Sport a Lifetime Habit
Meditations on Exercise
Top Marks for Regular Exercise
Building Resilient Students
Power Nap for a Brain Boost
