A challenge faced across the United States includes how to engage adults in regular physical activity (PA). Physical education is not the only avenue to accumulate PA in school. Some schools offer sport participation opportunities for students resulting in additional exposure to skill and fitness instruction. Additional opportunities, provided by sport and recreation participation, potentially provide a future health advantage resulting in health benefits. The primary purpose of this study was to examine specific sport and recreation activities participated in high school and adulthood BMI status.
Method:
The current study consisted of 1363 adults who completed an online questionnaire. Participants were provided a list of sport and recreational activities and asked to provide their primary physical activity while in high school. Furthermore, individuals were asked to provide their weight (lbs.) and height (in.) Statistical analysis included t-tests for group comparisons and frequencies were used to compare specific sport(s) and recreational activity comparisons. Correlations were used to assess associations among specific sports and adult BMI status.
Analysis/Results:
The study revealed participates who participated in sports or recreational activities while in high school reported to have more individuals in the normal (healthy) BMI category and met the American PA recommendations for the number of day and minutes engaged in moderate and vigorous physical activity. The sports with the highest percentage of participants who partook in moderate to vigorous exercise 5 or more times a week included cross country, wrestling, and baseball. The sports with the lowest percentage of people who partook in moderate to vigorous exercise 5 or more times a week included golf, softball, and competitive spirit squad. Cross Country had the high the highest percentage of participants in the normal category as well as the highest percentage of people who partook in moderate to vigorous exercise.
Conclusions:
There may be specific sports or recreational activities that influence people to stay active throughout their lifetime and this data suggest that participation in sport and recreational activities while in high school positively influences healthier BMIs. Sport and recreational activities in elementary, middle, and high school are important to human development. PA opportunities, offered through various programs should be further utilized rather than limited or eliminated from school curriculums. Lastly, the current study suggests that recreation activities are equally important to sports and advocates that more recreational activities should be offered as sport alternatives to meet the needs of different students.