Peer-reviewed article

Physical Activity and Health Outcomes in Children with Dyslexia During Summer versus School Months

Tina J Glatz · 1 Jan 2026

Summary

Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001

This study compared physical activity and health outcomes in 18 children with dyslexia during summer and school months. Children lost significant fitness over summer (11 PACER laps) but gained fitness during school months (4 laps), showing a 15-lap difference between the two periods. Body weight, body fat, and overall physical activity levels showed no significant differences between seasons. The findings suggest summer breaks may negatively impact cardiovascular fitness in children with dyslexia.

Key points

Children with dyslexia experienced significant loss in cardiorespiratory fitness during summer (-11 PACER laps, 95% CI: -17 to -6)
During school months, children gained fitness (+4 PACER laps, 95% CI: -0.2 to +7)
Overall difference between summer and school months was -15 PACER laps (95% CI: -22 to -8)
No significant differences found in body mass index z-scores, body fat percentage, or physical activity levels between seasons
Children with learning disabilities are twice as likely to have obesity as typically developing peers

Limitations

The study is preliminary with a small sample size (n=18) and relies on self-reported physical activity data from wearable monitors. The short timeframe of measurement and lack of a comparison group of typically developing children limit the ability to generalize findings or isolate factors specific to dyslexia.

Abstract

Children in the United States continue to experience rising rates of overweight and obesity. Children with learning disabilities are twice as likely to have obesity than typically developing peers, partly due to difficulties with motor skills and behavior regulation. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare differences in health outcomes and physical activity (PA) during summer versus school months in children with dyslexia, using a within- subject study design. At three timepoints (May, August, December 2025), children’s height, weight, and fitness were measured via a portable stadiometer, dual-frequency foot-to-foot bioelectric impedance device, and Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER). For 14 consecutive days during summer (June 2025) and school (October 2025) months, participants wore an ActiGraph activity monitor on their non-dominant wrist to capture light, moderate, and vigorous PA. Paired sample t-tests compared differences in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), z-score body mass index (zBMI), body fat percentage (%BF), and PA levels during summer versus school months. Children (n=18) were 67% 10-14 years old; 55% male; 17% classified as overweight or obese; all were diagnosed with dyslexia. Children experienced a significant loss in fitness over the summer, with a decrease of -11 PACER laps (95% confidence interval, CI: -17 laps to -6 laps). During school months, children gained +4 PACER laps (95% CI: -0.2, +7). Overall, there was a significant difference of -15 PACER laps (95% CI: -22 laps to -8 laps) between summer and school months. No significant differences were observed in zBMI, %BF, or PA levels. These findings provide preliminary evidence that summer may negatively impact fitness levels in children with dyslexia. Future studies should further examine PA behaviors of children with dyslexia during out-of-school periods and explore targeted summer interventions that address the specific needs of this population to promote sustained improvements in CRF.

Findings the Hub has extracted

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Development

Problem

Children with dyslexia experience reduced cardiorespiratory fitness and are at higher risk for obesity; summer breaks may contribute to fitness loss

Intervention: Comparison of natural variations in physical activity and fitness during school months versus summer months; study identifies need for targeted summer interventions but does not test a specific intervention
Population: 18 children aged 10-14 years old (67%), 55% male, all diagnosed with dyslexia, 17% classified as overweight or obese

Key finding

Cardiorespiratory fitness decreased significantly over summer by 11 PACER laps (95% CI: -17 to -6)

Practitioner