Changes in physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep across the transition from primary to secondary school: A systematic review

Abstract

Objectives: To describe how children's time spent in the 24-h movement behaviours of physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and sleep change, individually and collectively, across the transition from primary to secondary school.

Design: Systematic review.

Methods: Six electronic databases were searched from January 1990 to May 2019. Eligibility criteria included longitudinal studies reporting time spent in PA, SB and/or sleep, with baseline assessments conducted during the last two years of primary school and at least one follow-up during the first two years of secondary school. For studies reporting only SB, this review considered those published from November 2015 onwards to update a previous systematic review.

Results: The present review identified six articles that reported changes in PA (n=5) or PA and SB concurrently (n=1). Most articles had a high risk of bias (n=4/6). There was limited but consistent evidence of a change in PA over the school transition period; in particular a decrease in total daily PA and during specific time periods (i.e., in-school, after-school and leisure time). A concurrent but opposite change was observed in SB. No studies were identified that assessed changes in sleep, or all three movement behaviours concurrently.

Conclusions: Further research exploring concurrent changes in all movement behaviours (PA, SB and sleep) and associated factors is warranted to inform future behavioural interventions and policies for promoting an optimal 24h movement behaviour pattern during this critical developmental period.

Keywords: Adolescent; Child; Human development; Longitudinal studies; Movement behaviours.