Children's physical activity and psychological health: the relevance of intensity.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relevance of physical activity intensity when assessing the relationship between activity and psychological health in 9-10-year-old children.


METHODS
Activity was assessed by accelerometry in 57 boys (n = 23) and girls (n = 34). Total activity and time spent in very light (< or =1.9 METs) through to vigorous activity (> or =6 METs) were recorded. Psychological health inventories to assess anxiety, depression and aspects of self-worth were completed.


RESULTS
Time accumulated in very light activity had positive correlations with anxiety and depression (r > 0.30, p < 0.05) and negative correlations with aspects of physical self-worth (r > -0.29, p < 0.05). Time accumulated in vigorous activity had negative correlations with anxiety and behavioural conduct (r > -0.30, p < 0.05) and positive correlation with aspects of physical self-worth (r > 0.28, p < 0.05). Children spending over 4 h in very light intensity activity had more negative psychological profiles than children spending under 4 h at this intensity.


CONCLUSIONS
Aspects of psychological health were negatively correlated with very light intensity activity and positively correlated with vigorous intensity activity. Further research should investigate whether reducing time spent in very light intensity activity and increasing time spent in vigorous intensity activity improves psychological health in children.
Parfitt
Gaynor
G
School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. C.G.Parfitt@exeter.ac.uk
Pavey
Toby
T
Rowlands
Ann V
AV
D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D005082:Physical Exertion; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires