What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the direct impact of physical activity and sedentary time on youth physical health and evaluate the mediating influence of parental support.

January 18, 2026International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

A101: The Impact of Children’s Physical Activity on Physical Fitness

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Key result

High physical activity in youth is linked to ~73% higher rates of excellent physical health.

Why the study?

This study explored the impact of physical activity on physical health in children and adolescents, to verify their direct relationship and explore the mediating role of parental support.

Does higher physical activity improve physical health in children and adolescents?

Key Points

To examine the direct impact of physical activity and sedentary time on youth physical health and evaluate the mediating influence of parental support.
Surveyed 12,857 primary and secondary school students aged 818 across 6 Chinese provinces and municipalities (Shanghai, Chongqing, Shandong, Fujian, Anhui, and Inner Mongolia).
Evaluated activity levels with the PAQ-CN (high > 3, moderate 2 < PAQ ≤ 3, low ≤ 2), sedentary duration via ASAQ-CN, and parental support using the ACTS-CN scale.
Analyzed associations and effect sizes using chi-square tests, binary logistic regression models, and stepwise regression to evaluate mediation effects.
Moderate and high physical activity were positively associated with physical health (Bmedium=0.257, Bhigh=0.549), yielding 29.4% and 73.1% higher rates of excellent physical health versus low activity (ORmedium=1.294, ORhigh=1.731).
Sedentary time exceeding 4 hours reduced rates of excellent physical health (R4-6h=67.4%, R6-8h=64.7%, R8-10h=55.8%).
Parental support significantly mediated the link between physical activity and physical health, with an effect size of 0.19 for maternal support and 0.138 for paternal support.

Structured PICO

Does higher physical activity improve physical health in children and adolescents?

Population

12,857 primary and secondary school students aged 8-18 in 6 provinces (Shanghai, Chongqing, Shandong, Fujian, Anhui, and Inner Mongolia) in China

Intervention

Moderate (2 < PAQ ≤ 3) and high (PAQ > 3) physical activity levels

Comparator

Low physical activity level (PAQ ≤ 2)

Outcome

Physical health (rate of excellent physical health)patient reported

Higher physical activity levels and parental support are associated with better physical health in children and adolescents.

Discussion

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Implication

Supports activity promotion in youth; extends consensus associations but leaves open causality.

Cite This Study

Yao et al. (2026) studied this question. Children and adolescents with moderate and high physical activity levels have 29.4% and 73.1% higher rates of excellent physical health compared to low activity levels (ORmedium=1.294, ORhigh=1.731).

synapsesocial.com/papers/696c7791eb60fb80d1395ca2 https://doi.org/10.18122/ijpah.5.1.101.boisestate

Topics

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Lifestyle Interventions

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A101: The Impact of Children’s Physical Activity on Physical Fitness

Key Points

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Topics

A101: The Impact of Children’s Physical Activity on Physical Fitness

Key Points

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Topics

Also Consider