Author(s): GU, H., TANG, Q., WANG, Q., XIE, X.F., YAO, C., Institution: JIANGSU RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF SPORTS SCIENCE, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 2795

INTRODUCTION:
This longitudinal study aims to explore the characteristics of physical activity patterns among children with different body types using a longitudinal survey approach.
METHODS:
The physical activity levels of a total of 361 children, aged 8–10 years old, were determined using an Actigraph GT3X accelerometer twice over 3 years. Furthermore, body morphologies and physical characteristics of children, divided into the control group and the overweight/obese group according to their BMI measurement results, were evaluated.
RESULTS:
The physical activity levels of the children declined significantly over the 3 years. Specifically, the observed decline was more pronounced in the overweight/obese children than in normal-weight children. Moreover, the decline was more pronounced on weekends (WE) than on school days (WK). Overall, we observed a decrease in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of various durations (M1–M4, MVPA1:1-3mins, MVPA2:3-5mins, MVPA3:5-10mins, MVPA4:>10mins) in children, with more significant decreases during WE and in overweight/obese children. However, the proportion of children in the M1–M4 remained largely stable across groups.
CONCLUSION:
The physical activity levels of elementary school children showed a declining trend with increasing age. Moreover, the children engaged in longer sedentary periods and lower levels of physical activity on weekends compared to weekdays. Consistent with these results, the duration of MVPA also decreased with age. However, the proportion of MVPA across age groups remained stable, indicating a relatively consistent physical activity pattern. Identifying such patterns may offer new approaches to enhance children’s overall physical activity levels by increasing the frequency of short-duration, sporadic MVPA bouts.