Peer-reviewed article
S03-1 Physical literacy, physical activity and wellbeing in Danish children
Melby P, Nielsen G, Brønd J, Bentsen P, Elsborg P ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This Danish study examined the relationship between physical literacy (the ability and confidence to move) and well-being in children aged 7-13 years. Researchers found that children with higher physical literacy reported better physical health and positive mental health outcomes, with some of this benefit linked to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The study used accelerometers to measure activity levels and questionnaires to assess well-being across multiple domains.
Key points
- Positive moderate association found between physical literacy and physical well-being, partly mediated by moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
- Physical literacy was positively associated with positive aspects of psychosocial well-being (strengths) and negatively associated with behavior problems
- None of the associations between physical literacy and psychosocial well-being were mediated by physical activity levels
- Cross-sectional data collected from Danish school children aged 7-13 years during 2020
- Physical literacy measured across affective, cognitive, and physical domains using the Danish Assessment of Physical Literacy (DAPL)
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional study, so causation cannot be established—it is unclear whether physical literacy leads to better well-being or vice versa. The second study examining movement behavior synergies was incomplete at the time of presentation, limiting the full scope of findings.
Abstract
Abstract Background PL is increasingly regarded as a ‘cause of the causes’ to health promotion. Cross-sectional studies have shown associations between children’s PL, physical activity (PA) behaviors and well-being. This presentation aims to present empirical evidence from a large-scale research project in Denmark assessing children’s physical literacy. Results from two studies will be presented and discussed. The first aims to examine the associations between Danish children’s PL and their physical and psychosocial well-being and whether the associations are mediated by moderate-to-high intensity physical activity (MVPA). The second aim is to examine the synergies between movement behaviors and levels of PL. Methods Cross-sectional data from Danish school children aged 7-13 years were collected in Jan-Dec 2020 in the Danish Assessment of Physical Literacy (DAPL) project. PL was assessed with DAPL which measures the affective, cognitive, and physical domains of PL. Sedentary time and time spent in different PA intensities was measured with accelerometers (Axivity), psychosocial well-being was measured with The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and physical wellbeing was measured with the KIDSCREEN questionnaire. In study 1, structural equation models were constructed with PL and MVPA as predictors of physical well-being and four aspects of psychosocial well-being. In study 2 a compositional analysis was applied with average weekly time spent sedentary, in low PA, moderate PA and vigorous PA as the compositional response and levels of PL as predictor. Results A positive moderate association between PL and physical well-being, partly mediated by MVPA was observed. PL was positively associated with the positive aspects of psychosocial wellbeing and negatively associated with the negative aspects (behavior problems). None of the associations between PL and aspects of psychosocial wellbeing were mediated by MVPA. Results from study 2 are ongoing. Conclusions The studies contribute to evidence on the link between PL, physical activity, and health outcomes. The study found beneficial relations between PL and physical and psychosocial well-being.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Assessment and support of physical literacy development across affective, cognitive, and physical domains in school-based settings
- Population
- Danish school children aged 7-13 years (cross-sectional sample collected Jan-Dec 2020)
Key finding
Moderate positive association between physical literacy and physical well-being, partially mediated by moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
P et al. · PubMed Central (PMC) · 29 Aug 2022