Key result
Higher physical fitness was significantly associated with lower anxiety levels in children (β = -0.256), an effect that was partially mediated by resilience and moderated by agility.
Why the study?
The mechanisms underlying any association between physical fitness and anxiety in children have been understudied.
Does physical fitness reduce anxiety in children?
Cross-Sectional (n=269)
Yes
Does physical fitness reduce anxiety in children?
Effect estimate: β = -0.256 (95% CI -0.374 to -0.137)
p-value: p=<0.001
Higher physical fitness is inversely associated with anxiety in children, an effect that is partially mediated by resilience and moderated by agility.
May support fitness promotion for child anxiety; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective trials to confirm causality.
Background: Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health problems in children. Although physical fitness as a predictor of mental health, the mechanisms underlying any association between physical fitness and anxiety in children have been understudied. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine whether an association exists between physical fitness and anxiety and to explore the roles of resilience and agility in such an association. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated 269 children aged 7 to 12 years from three public primary schools in Shanghai (China). Physical fitness and agility were objectively measured, and resilience and anxiety were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. The moderated mediation model was examined using SPSS PROCESS macro, in which the mediator variable was resilience, and the moderator variable was agility. Results: Physical fitness was inversely associated with anxiety. Resilience partially and indirectly mediated this association, and agility moderated the association between physical fitness and resilience. Physical fitness had a greater impact on resilience in children with higher agility levels. Conclusions: Agility moderated the mediation of resilience on the indirect, inverse association between physical fitness and anxiety; thus, incorporating methods to develop agility and resilience may lead to better outcomes for physical fitness programs designed to prevent or alleviate anxiety in children.
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Li et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Anxiety (n=269). Physical fitness vs. Lower physical fitness was evaluated on Anxiety score (MASC) (β = -0.256, 95% CI -0.374 to -0.137, p=<0.001). Higher physical fitness was significantly associated with lower anxiety levels in children (β = -0.256), an effect that was partially mediated by resilience and moderated by agility.
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