Participation in Club Sport in Childhood Is Associated with Mental Health in Preterm and Term Born Adolescents

Background/Purpose: Preterm born individuals have an increased risk for mental health problems. Participation in club sport is associated with better mental health but the causal direction is unclear. It is of interest to investigate whether this association can be found in preterm children.

Methods: We investigated very to moderately preterm born (N = 243), late preterm (N = 630), and term born children (N = 10,368) from the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS). Data on mental health (parent-reported strength and difficulties questionnaire, SDQ) at the age of 3 to 14 years and club sport participation (CSP) at the age of 5, 7, and 11 years were analyzed using multigroup structural equation modeling (MGSEM), controlling for confounders (maternal depression, parental education, motor problems) and attrition.

Results: Preterm born groups in the MCS were at an increased risk for mental health problems. MGSEM showed that children with higher emotional symptom, peer relationship problems, conduct problems or hyperactivity/inattention scores participated less in CSP at a later age. More days with CSP predicted lower emotional symptoms and peer relationship problems at a later age. Results were similar in all gestational age groups in terms of strength and direction of associations.

Conclusion: Children of all gestational age groups with higher SDQ problem scores are less engaged in CSP later in their childhood and adolescence. CSP seems to be a protective factor against later development of peer relationship and emotional problems. Since no differences were seen with regard to gestational age groups, CSP should be encouraged in all children.

 

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No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
28 October 2021