Examination of Physical Activity Levels of Children Aged 8-14 Years

Authors : Çiğdem Müge Hayli, Dilek Demir, Mehmet Zeki Avci

Pages : 62-77

View : 33 | Download : 17

Publication Date : 2022-10-10

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Physical activity contributes to the healthy development of children by approaching the development of children with particular importance. The aim of this study was to determine whether the physical activity levels of children between the ages of 8-14 differ according to their sociodemographic characteristics. The data required for the research were collected online between 21 May 2022 and 03 July 2022. The study group of the research consisted of children aged 8-14 years. In data collection, an online survey method, sociodemographic data collection form, and child physical activity questionnaire (CPAQ) were used from 250 children aged 8-14 years who had parental consent, participated voluntarily, and were selected by convenience sampling method, one of the improbable sampling methods. SPSS 26.0 data analysis program was used in the statistical analysis process of the data obtained in the study, and in examining the physical activity levels of children according to their sociodemographic characteristics Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal- Wallis H tests and korelasyon were used. As a result of the research, it was concluded that the physical activity levels of the children in the 8-14 age group were moderate. However, while the extracurricular physical activity levels of the children were low, the physical activity levels at school were found to be moderate. Based on the research data, it was concluded that the extracurricular physical activity levels of the children were considerably lower than the activity levels at school. It was determined that the children participating in the study had moderate physical activity. It has been stated that physical activity levels vary according to sociodemographic characteristics. It is recommended to organize training programs for children between the ages of 8-14 on proper nutrition habits and the importance of physical activity.
Keywords : Child, level, activity, physical activity