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Physical Activity in Childhood and Adolescence: Preventing Health Risks Through...
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Physical Activity in Childhood and Adolescence: Preventing Health Risks Through Sport and Diagnosis

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Public Health and Preventive Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2027 | Viewed by 3618

Editors

Dr. Piotr Matłosz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physical Culture Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Interests: health; anthropometry; obesity; physical activity; accelerometry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jarosław Herbert

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Physical Culture Sciences, Medical College, University of Rzeszów, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Interests: physical activity; accelerometry; health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physical activity plays a crucial role in the health of children and adolescents, helping to prevent obesity, metabolic disorders, postural defects, and mental health issues. The early diagnosis of health risks and appropriately tailored physical activity interventions can effectively support the physical and psychological development of young individuals. However, declining physical activity levels—due to sedentary lifestyles and reduced spontaneous movement—are contributing to an increase in health problems in this age group.

This Special Issue focuses on the role of physical activity as both a preventive and diagnostic tool. We are particularly interested in research on the impact of various forms of movement—including sports, recreational activities, and age-appropriate exercise—on the physical and mental health of children and adolescents. We seek innovative approaches such as fitness assessment technologies, personalized physical activity programs, and long-term analyses of the effects of movement on youth development.

We invite submissions on movement interventions, physical fitness diagnostics, and strategies promoting an active lifestyle among children and adolescents. Suggested topics include the prevention of lifestyle diseases, mental health, modern activity assessment technologies, and health policy in education. We hope that the collected research will contribute to a better understanding of the role of physical activity in shaping the health of future generations.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Piotr Matłosz
Guest Editor

Dr. Jarosław Herbert
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • physical activity
  • childhood and adolescence
  • health prevention
  • fitness diagnostics

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 255 KB  
Article
Factors Associated with Suspected Scoliosis Identified Through School Screening: The Role of Body Mass Index and Sports Participation
by Josipa Glavaš, Roberta Matković, Mirjana Rumboldt and Jure Aljinović
Healthcare 2026, 14(12), 1672; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14121672 - 12 Jun 2026
Viewed by 170
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a multifactorial condition with an unclear etiology. Previous studies have reported associations of scoliosis with female sex, lower body mass index (BMI), and lower physical activity levels. This study examined factors associated with suspected scoliosis identified [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a multifactorial condition with an unclear etiology. Previous studies have reported associations of scoliosis with female sex, lower body mass index (BMI), and lower physical activity levels. This study examined factors associated with suspected scoliosis identified through school screening, with emphasis on BMI and sports participation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2019/2020 school year and included 18,216 adolescents. Suspected scoliosis was identified using the forward bend test (FBT). Logistic regression analysis assessed associations between suspected scoliosis and sex, grade, BMI, participation in the seven most frequently reported sports, and training frequency. Results: Higher BMI (odds ratio (OR) = 0.91, p < 0.001), participation in soccer (OR = 0.64, p < 0.001), gymnastics (OR = 0.58, p = 0.05), martial arts (OR = 0.66, p = 0.02), and higher recreational training frequency (OR = 0.92, p < 0.001) were associated with lower odds of suspected scoliosis. Female sex (OR = 2.49, p < 0.001) and higher grade level (6th: OR = 1.54; 8th: OR = 2.98; p < 0.001) were associated with increased odds of suspected scoliosis. Conclusions: Suspected scoliosis identified through school screening was more frequently observed among females and adolescents with lower BMI. Participation in certain sports and greater recreational physical activity were associated with lower prevalence and odds of suspected scoliosis. These findings reflect screening-based associations and do not imply causal relationships. The results support the importance of school-based screening and consideration of body composition and physical activity patterns in the early identification of adolescents with suspected scoliosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity in Childhood and Adolescence: Preventing Health Risks Through Sport and Diagnosis)
13 pages, 617 KB  
Article
Changes in School-Based Physical Activity and Well-Being Among Adolescents Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Dorota Groffik, Karel Frömel and Mateusz Ziemba
Healthcare 2026, 14(7), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14070836 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 792
Abstract
Background: To mitigate the negative impacts of the pandemic, it is essential to understand how the associations between different types of physical activity (PA) and adolescent well-being changed before and after the COVID-19 pandemic (defined here as the period marked by students’ return [...] Read more.
Background: To mitigate the negative impacts of the pandemic, it is essential to understand how the associations between different types of physical activity (PA) and adolescent well-being changed before and after the COVID-19 pandemic (defined here as the period marked by students’ return to stable in-person education). This study aimed to examine gender differences in the associations between school-related PA and subjective well-being before and after the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used, including 430 boys and 571 girls from 22 high schools. Participants completed the Youth Activity Profile questionnaire to assess school-related and school-associated PA and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index to evaluate subjective well-being. Differences in participants’ PA across segments of the school day before and after the pandemic were evaluated using the Kruskal–Wallis test, and compliance with PA recommendations was analyzed using cross-tabulation and Pearson’s chi-square tests. Results: After the pandemic, both boys and girls reported significantly lower levels of active transportation to and from school compared with the pre-pandemic period. In addition, well-being levels were significantly lower in both genders after the pandemic. Before the pandemic, boys and girls with higher well-being met the recommendations for PA to school, from school, and outside of school significantly more often than their peers with lower well-being. Higher levels of well-being were observed both before and after the pandemic in boys and girls who participated in organized PA compared with non-participants. Conclusions: This study confirms lower levels of PA and well-being among adolescents after the pandemic. In particular, PA to and from school was at a lower level after the pandemic than before the pandemic. Participation in organized PA was significantly associated with higher well-being in both boys and girls before and after the pandemic. Supporting adolescents’ participation in organized PA should be a priority when addressing the negative consequences of societal crisis situations. Improved knowledge of the associations between PA and well-being may contribute to more effective support for adolescents’ PA and greater awareness of the importance of meeting PA recommendations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity in Childhood and Adolescence: Preventing Health Risks Through Sport and Diagnosis)
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15 pages, 1140 KB  
Article
Mediterranean Diet Adherence, Physical Activity, and Motivation Toward Physical Education in Adolescent Girls: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Paula San Martín González, Natalia Hermida Carballido, Rubén Maneiro Dios and Rubén Arroyo del Bosque
Healthcare 2026, 14(6), 764; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14060764 - 18 Mar 2026
Viewed by 390
Abstract
Background: Adolescence represents a critical period for the adoption of lifestyle behaviors that may influence physical health, emotional well-being, and health-related behaviors later in life. However, limited evidence exists regarding the combined association of dietary habits and physical activity with motivation toward physical [...] Read more.
Background: Adolescence represents a critical period for the adoption of lifestyle behaviors that may influence physical health, emotional well-being, and health-related behaviors later in life. However, limited evidence exists regarding the combined association of dietary habits and physical activity with motivation toward physical education, particularly among adolescent girls from different residential environments. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity levels, and motivation toward physical education among adolescent girls from urban and rural settings. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving girls aged 12 to 14 years (n = 217; NUrban = 108 and NRural = 109). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity levels, and motivational dimensions toward PE were assessed using validated questionnaires. Differences between groups were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed controlling for physical activity levels. Effect sizes were calculated using partial eta squared (η2p). Results: Significant differences were observed in intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, introjected regulation, and amotivation according to adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p < 0.05), with small to moderate effect sizes (η2p = 0.029–0.040). Post hoc analyses indicated that girls with optimal adherence to the Mediterranean diet exhibited higher intrinsic motivation toward PE compared with those with low adherence. The ANCOVA revealed that higher physical activity levels were significantly associated with greater intrinsic motivation, particularly among girls from urban environments. No significant differences were found between urban and rural environments in overall physical activity levels or dietary adherence. Conclusions: Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet and higher levels of physical activity are associated with more self-determined motivational profiles toward physical education in adolescent girls. These findings highlight the importance of integrated school-based interventions that promote healthy eating and active lifestyles to enhance motivation and engagement in PE among adolescent girls. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity in Childhood and Adolescence: Preventing Health Risks Through Sport and Diagnosis)
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15 pages, 529 KB  
Article
Associations Between 24 h Movement Behaviours and Cognitive Abilities in Slovak Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Beata Ruzbarska, Lenka Hnidkova, Mojmir Trebunak, Erika Chovanova, Dalibor Dzugas and Peter Kacur
Healthcare 2026, 14(3), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14030360 - 30 Jan 2026
Viewed by 599
Abstract
Background: Twenty-four-hour movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep) may be associated with adolescent cognitive performance, but evidence from Central/Eastern Europe is limited. Methods: A total of 82 Slovak adolescents (15–19 years) completed tests of IQ, attention, and visual memory. Participants wore [...] Read more.
Background: Twenty-four-hour movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep) may be associated with adolescent cognitive performance, but evidence from Central/Eastern Europe is limited. Methods: A total of 82 Slovak adolescents (15–19 years) completed tests of IQ, attention, and visual memory. Participants wore a wrist accelerometer 24/7 for seven consecutive days (processed in GGIR v3.0–3). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), total sedentary time, and sleep duration were derived from accelerometry; physical activity was also self-reported using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Non-parametric tests and Spearman correlations were applied; sleep × MVPA interaction models (robust HC3 standard errors) were adjusted for age and sex. Results: MVPA was low (median 32.9 min/day; 11% met ≥60 min/day), while sedentary time was high (median 652.6 min/day). Associations between movement behaviours and cognition were generally small, and no sleep × MVPA interaction effects were observed. The PAQ-A overestimated device-based MVPA (mean bias +1.68 units; 95% limits of agreement +1.10 to +2.25), with greater overestimation in girls and older adolescents. Conclusions: In this convenience sample, 24 h movement patterns were suboptimal, and their associations with cognition were modest and exploratory. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity in Childhood and Adolescence: Preventing Health Risks Through Sport and Diagnosis)
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12 pages, 698 KB  
Article
Direction of Change in Cardiorespiratory Fitness in School-Age Children: A Longitudinal Single-Centre Study
by Maria Zadarko-Domaradzka, Marek Sobolewski and Emilian Zadarko
Healthcare 2025, 13(22), 2871; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222871 - 12 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 691
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is currently a topic of widespread interest in the field of public health, considered as the basic marker for health status assessment. Better CRF is generally accepted to be beneficial in cardiovascular and metabolic disease prevention, both in [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is currently a topic of widespread interest in the field of public health, considered as the basic marker for health status assessment. Better CRF is generally accepted to be beneficial in cardiovascular and metabolic disease prevention, both in children and in adults. The aim of this study was to present the direction of change in the cardiorespiratory fitness of Polish children aged 9 to 13 in a longitudinal study. Methods: Three series of cardiorespiratory fitness measurements were performed on school-aged children at one-year intervals. CRF was assessed based on the number of laps run in the 20 m shuttle run test (20mSRT). In order to check the level of cardiorespiratory fitness in consecutive years, the 20mSRT results were compared to the international percentile norms, considering the children’s sex and age. Results: The number of completed laps shows great diversity with reference to age. Together with age, the advantage of boys in terms of the number of completed laps becomes visible. The distribution of percentile classification results in subsequent tests across the whole study population shows that a low percentage of children who were qualified for the study had their CRF below the 20th percentile, and a relatively high percentage was above the 80th percentile. Conclusions: For the whole test group, the results of the percentile classification did not change significantly in subsequent tests. It is worth noting, though, that together with age, CRF changes evolved towards higher values in the tested group, as a vast majority was at the level of the 50th percentile. However, still a significant group of the tested children remained within the low percentile values of CRF. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity in Childhood and Adolescence: Preventing Health Risks Through Sport and Diagnosis)
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