It is well known that sports participation is positively associated with psychosocial health in children, but details about this association over time are lacking. This study aimed to explore longitudinal associations between several characteristics of sports participation and three aspects of psychosocial health (internalizing problems, externalizing problems and prosocial behaviour) in Dutch children aged 10–12 years. Data from 695 fourth-grade primary school children were included at baseline; 10–13 months later, 487 children (response rate 70.1%) were retained. At both time points, children reported on their sports participation (Move and Sports Monitor Questionnaire – Youth Aged 8–12 Years) and psychosocial health (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire). Longitudinal associations between several characteristics of sports participation and the three aspects of psychosocial health were analysed using linear mixed models, both clustering the repeated measures within children and clustering the children within schools. In addition to crude analyses, analyses were performed adjusting for sex, age, BMI, household composition, SES and frequency of sports participation. Membership in a sports club, moderate or high frequency of sports participation, performing team sports, performing outdoor sports, performing contact sports and involvement in competition were longitudinally associated with fewer internalizing problems. The longitudinal association of higher frequency of sports participation with fewer internalizing problems was stronger as a child’s BMI increased. The association of performing team sports with fewer internalizing problems was only observed for boys. Membership in a sports club and moderate or high frequency of sports participation were also longitudinally associated with better prosocial behaviour. These associations with prosocial behaviour were stronger for girls. None of the characteristics of sports participation examined were longitudinally associated with externalizing problems. This study shows that from a longitudinal perspective, fewer internalizing problems and better prosocial behaviour were seen in children who were active in sports. Fewer internalizing problems were also associated with the kind of sports participation; for example, with performing outdoor sports. No associations were found for externalizing problems. Future research should preferably take the form of an intervention to investigate whether the observed statistical associations are of a causal nature.

Purpose In this study, longitudinal associations between sports participation and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were explored. Sports participation was operationalized as membership of a sports club, frequency of sports participation, performing individual versus team sports and performing indoor versus outdoor sports. The concept of HRQoL referred to the self-perceived enjoyment and satisfaction with one’s personal health situation. Methods Data from 618 fourth-grade primary school children were included at baseline; 10–13 months later, 417 children (response rate 67.5%) were retained. At both time points, children reported on sports participation (Move and Sports Monitor Questionnaire—youth aged 8–12 years) and health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-52). Because of the clustering of children in schools, data were analysed using linear mixed models. Analyses were adjusted for sex, age, BMI, household composition, SES and frequency of sports participation. Results The questionnaires were fully completed by 417 children. High sports-active children showed better scores on almost all dimensions of HRQoL than moderate [difference (B) = − 1.82 (p = 0.05) to − 1.51 (p = 0.05)] or low ports-active children [difference (B) = − 3.67 (p < 0.001) to − 1.95 (p = 0.03)] and non-sports club members [difference (B) = − 5.58 (p < 0.001) to – 2.65 (p = 0.02)]. Unlike frequency, the other examined characteristics of sports participation were only to a limited extent longitudinal associated with HRQoL. Conclusion As frequency is more relevant than the form of sports participation, children should be encouraged to perform any kind of sports activity on a very regular base.

In children physical activity has been shown to be associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study further explores this association for specific characteristics of sports participation, namely membership of a sports club, frequency of sports participation, performing individual versus team sports, performing indoor versus outdoor sports, while differentiating between specific dimensions in the physical, psychological and social domain of HRQoL. Cross-sectional data were collected from Dutch primary school children aged 10 to 12 years. They completed the Movement and Sports Monitor Questionnaire Youth aged 8 to 12 years (MSMQ) and the KIDSCREEN-52, an HRQoL questionnaire for children and adolescents. The data were examined using linear multilevel analyses because of the clustering of children in schools. The questionnaires were completed by 1876 children (response rate 81.3%). Membership of a sports club, moderate or high frequency of sports participation, and performing outdoor sports were all significantly associated with better HRQoL. These associations were largely found in the physical domain of HRQoL, to a lesser degree in the social domain, and to a limited extent in the psychological domain. The association between sports participation and HRQoL in children depends on both characteristics of sports participation and the domain of life that is concerned. These differences offer starting points for developing tailor-made sports programs for children.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have motor impairments. A promising strategy to improve motor and social functioning in children with ASD may be an aquatic intervention because of the properties of water. This systematic review investigated the characteristics and effects of aquatic interventions on motor and social skills in children with ASD. Searches in six databases on studies conducted between 2000 and 2023 resulted in 19 intervention studies involving 429 children aged 3 to 17 years with ASD. Best evidence syntheses and meta-analyses were used to evaluate the effects. Aquatic interventions guided by a combination of professionals in influencing behavior and in aquatic skills improved motor and social skills and significantly decreased autistic behavior in children with ASD.