The status of active after-school clubs among primary school children in England (UK) after the COVD-19 lockdowns: implications for policy and practice

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Research

Kate Sansum¹  Lydia Emm-Collison¹  Danielle House²  Ruth Salway²  Robert Walker²  Russell Jago³  Sarah Churchward⁴  Katie Breheny⁵  Joanna G Williams⁶  William Hollingworth⁷  Frank de Vocht⁷ 

[1] Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, BS8 ITZ, Bristol, UK;Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, BS8 ITZ, Bristol, UK;Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2PS, Bristol, UK;Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, BS8 ITZ, Bristol, UK;Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2PS, Bristol, UK;The National Institute for Health Research, Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, BS1 2NT, Bristol, UK;NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, BS8 2BN, Bristol, UK;Independent public member of the project team, Bristol, UK;Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2PS, Bristol, UK;Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2PS, Bristol, UK;Communities and Public Health, Bristol City Council, Bristol, UK;Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS8 2PS, Bristol, UK;The National Institute for Health Research, Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, BS1 2NT, Bristol, UK;

关键词: Physical activity;    Sport;    Exercise;    Cost of living crisis;    Spending;    Club provision;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12966-023-01499-x

 received in 2023-03-31, accepted in 2023-08-05,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundChildren’s physical activity in England is more dependent on active clubs after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is unclear how the COVID-19 pandemic and related cost-of-living crisis have impacted on active club participation, costs and provision. This mixed-methods natural experiment explored school-based and community-based active clubs after lockdowns, using a unique combination of data sources to highlight implications for policy and practice post-COVID-19.MethodsCross-sectional questionnaire data on school and community active clubs were collected from 10-11-year-old children pre-COVID-19 in 2017-18 (N = 1,296; 50 schools), in 2021 (N = 393; 23 schools), and 2022 (N = 463; 27 schools). Club participation and attendance frequency were modelled using logistic and Poisson mixed effects models, adjusted for child age, gender and household education. In 2021 and 2022, parents reported expenditure on community-based clubs and schools provided data on school-based club provision, with data summarised descriptively. Qualitative data were collected in 2021 and 2022, with one-to-one interviews with school staff (N = 18) and parents (N = 43), and twelve child focus groups (N = 92), and analysed using the framework method.ResultsSchool-based active club participation was higher in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic (50% /43%), while community-based club participation was lower (74%/80%). Children attended 0.3 fewer clubs per week. Those from lower education households were less likely to participate in both types of active clubs, and girls less likely to attend community clubs. In 2022, the median cost of community and school club sessions were £6.67 and £3.88 respectively, with 52% of school-based clubs free to parents. Schools offered an average of 3.4 active clubs per week for 10-11-year-olds in 2022, with 34% partly/wholly subsidised. Qualitative analysis highlighted the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and COVID-19 pandemic on family resources, encouraging a shift to more affordable and convenient school-based active clubs, which negatively impacted the community-based active club environment. However, many schools struggled to meet this increased demand.ConclusionsFindings emphasise the importance for policymakers to support schools to meet increased demand for clubs and community clubs to increase affordable and convenient physical activity opportunities. Targeted support is needed to prevent socioeconomic and gender inequalities.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

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