Effects of an Intervention based on Social Support on Sedentary Behavior and Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity of Children

Introduction: Advancement and encouragement of physical activity (PA) should be facilitated through the support of family and friends.
Objective: This research was undertaken to investigate the effects of an intervention centered on social support on children's participation in PA.
Methods: This study utilizes a semi-experimental design. The sample consisted of 42 male children, who were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control groups. The measurement of social support was conducted using the family scale social support questionnaire, while PA patterns were assessed with a contemporary accelerometer (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT). The intervention was implemented weekly over a period of eight weeks, with each session lasting 60 minutes. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA and the Pearson correlation test.
Results: Baseline data indicated that participants in both groups exhibited nearly identical BMI values, with no statistically significant differences observed (P>0.05). The findings revealed that the intervention group had a mean daily moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) of 26.74 ± 8.56 minutes, compared to the control group's mean of 25.14 ± 12.67 minutes. The intervention resulted in a notable improvement in perceived social support and levels of MVPA (P<0.05). Additionally, there was a significant reduction in sedentary time (P<0.05). Furthermore, a direct and significant correlation was found between social support and MVPA (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Interventions based on parental social support, which often provides limited encouragement for children's engagement in PA, are effective. Therefore, the research recommends that parents enhance their support for their children's participation in such activities.