The moderating effect of gender on physical activity participation and physical fitness in children

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dc.contributor.authorGomwe, Howard
dc.contributor.authorPhiri, Lesego
dc.contributor.authorMarange, Chioneso
dc.date.accessioned2026-10-06T13:45:46Z
dc.date.available2026-10-06T13:45:46Z
dc.date.issued2024-08-20
dc.descriptionResearch paper
dc.description.abstractBackground The level, direction or presence of the relationship between perceived physical activity (PA) participation and physical fitness (PF) in children may differ by gender and this will assist in designing gender-specific interventions to promote PA participation, which in turn improves PF levels. Aim This study aimed to establish the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between perceived PA participation and PF. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted with a cohort of 870 primary school children aged 9–14 years old. Perceived PA participation was measured using the PAQ-C questionnaire while PF levels were measured using cardiorespiratory endurance (i.e. VO2 max). Results The results showed significant gender differences for perceived PA participation levels (t = −3.40, p ≤ 0.001) and PF (t = −11.59, p ≤ 0.001), with boys reporting higher levels than the girls. Perceived PA participation had a positive, weak and statistically significant correlation with PF (r = 0.251; p ≤ 0.001). Gender significantly moderates the relationship between perceived PA participation and PF (β3 = 3.518; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.642 to 6.395; p = 0.017). Conclusion The moderating effect of gender on the relationship between perceived PA participation and PF highlights the differences in physiology as well as the societal PA associated roles played by boys and girls.
dc.description.sponsorshipFunding for this study was provided by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA).
dc.format.extent6 pages
dc.identifier.citationGomwe, H., Phiri, L. & Marange, C.S., 2024, ‘The moderating effect of gender on physical activity participation and physical fitness in children’, Health SA Gesondheid 29(0), a2672. https://doi.org/10.4102/ hsag.v29i0.2672
dc.identifier.issn2071-9736
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/5289
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAOSIS Publishing
dc.relation.ispartofseriesHealth SA Gesondheid - Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Science
dc.subjectExercise
dc.subjectPhysical fitness
dc.subjectChildren
dc.titleThe moderating effect of gender on physical activity participation and physical fitness in children
dc.typeArticle
person.identifier.orcidGomwe, Howard 0000-0002-3155-0780
person.identifier.orcidPhiri, Lesego 0009-0001-7651-293X
person.identifier.orcidMarange, Chioneso 0000-0002-8960-7268

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