The role of organised sport participation in physical activity and energy expenditure patterns among Serbian adolescents: an objective monitoring study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v83.119795Keywords:
Metabolic equivalent, physical activity patterns, sedentary behaviour, wearable device, weekend behaviourAbstract
Introduction: Physical activity was an important component of adolescent health, while energy expenditure represented a key component of daily energy balance.
Objective: This study examined differences in objectively measured physical activity and energy expenditure between sport participants and non-sport participants, stratified by sex, across school and weekend days.
Methodology: The study included 115 adolescents (53 boys, 62 girls; age 14.0 ± 0.6 years) from a primary school in Belgrade, classified as sport participants (n = 63) or non-sport participants (n = 52). Physical activity and energy expenditure were objectively assessed using the SenseWear Pro3 Armband over two school days and two weekend days.
Results: Girls who participated in organised sport had higher total energy expenditure (p = .023, g = 0.59) and physical activity energy expenditure (p = .007, g = 0.70) than non-sport participants. On weekend days, they also showed higher total energy expenditure (p = .007, g = 0.71), physical activity energy expenditure (p = .001, g = 0.88), vigorous physical activity (p = .001, g = 0.86), and total physical activity (p = .003, g = 0.78). Boys showed no significant differences between groups.
Discussion: The findings were consistent with previous evidence indicating stronger associations between organised sport participation and objectively measured physical activity among girls than boys, particularly on weekend days.
Conclusion: Organised sport participation was associated with higher physical activity and energy expenditure, particularly among girls. Targeted strategies for non-sport-participating girls and on non-school days may be important for improving activity levels.
References
Arvidsson, D., Slinde, F., Larsson, S., & Hulthén, L. (2009). Energy cost in children assessed by multisensor activity monitors. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 41(3), 603–611. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e31818896f4
Basterfield, L., Reilly, J. K., Pearce, M. S., Parkinson, K. N., Adamson, A. J., Reilly, J. J., & Vella, S. A. (2015). Longitudinal associations between sports participation, body composition and physical activity from childhood to adolescence. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 18(2), 178–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.03.005
Bujosa-Quetglas, G., Sampol, P. P., Tirado Ramos, M. Á., & Vidal Conti, J. (2023). Effectiveness of self-regulated learning in physical education interventions that promote physical activity: Systematic review. Retos, 50, 487–499. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v50.99702
Butnariu, M. (2025). The effect of physical activity on body composition: a study of athletic and non-athletic students. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 25(7), 1497–1505. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2025.07167
Carlisle, C. C., Weaver, R. G., Stodden, D. F., & Cattuzzo, M. T. (2019). Contribution of organised sport participation to health-related fitness in adolescents. Global Pediatric Health, 6, 2333794X19884191. https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X19884191
Carlsohn, A., Scharhag-Rosenberger, F., Cassel, M., Weber, J., de Guzman Guzman, A., & Mayer, F. (2011). Physical activity levels to estimate the energy requirement of adolescent athletes. Pediatric Exercise Science, 23(2), 261–269. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.23.2.261
Caspersen, C. J., Powell, K. E., & Christenson, G. M. (1985). Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research. Public Health Reports, 100(2), 126–131.
Costa, M., Ribeiro, J. C., Silva, M. P., & Mota, J. (2024). Physical Education Classes with different durations, and their contribution to Daily Physical Activity Recommendations of Adolescents in Porto, Portugal. Retos, 58, 182–189. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v58.106478
Evenson, K. R., Goto, M. M., & Furberg, R. D. (2015). Systematic review of the validity and reliability of consumer-wearable activity trackers. International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, 12(1), 159. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0314-1
Fuller, D., Colwell, E., Low, J., Orychock, K., Tobin, M. A., Simango, B., Buote, R., van Heerden, D., Luan, H., Cullen, K., Slade, L., & Taylor, N. G. A. (2020). Reliability and validity of commercially available wearable devices for measuring steps, energy expenditure, and heart rate: Systematic review. JMIR MHealth and UHealth, 8(9), e18694. https://doi.org/10.2196/18694
Gutiérrez-Higuera, T., Zamarripa, J., Ochoa-Ávalos, M., & Ceballos-Gurrola, O. (2023). Physical activity level and body image self-perception according to the stage of change in Mexican adolescents. Retos, 48, 894–900. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v48.97419
Harding, S. K., Page, A. S., Falconer, C., & Cooper, A. R. (2015). Longitudinal changes in sedentary time and physical activity during adolescence. International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, 12, 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0204-6
Husu, P., Vähä-Ypyä, H., & Vasankari, T. (2016). Objectively measured sedentary behaviour and physical activity of Finnish 7- to 14-year-old children–associations with perceived health status: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 16, Article 338. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3006-0
Jovanovic, S., Domokos, C., Sekulić, Ž., Domokos, M., & Šimunič, B. (2026). Accelerometer-measured physical activity: comparing young adult football players and non-athletic peers. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 8, 1797369. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2026.1797369
Jurak, G., Sorić, M., Starc, G., Kovač, M., Mišigoj‐Duraković, M., Borer, K., & Strel, J. (2015). School day and weekend patterns of physical activity in urban 11‐year‐olds: A cross‐cultural comparison. American Journal of Human Biology, 27(2), 192–200. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.22637
Kapri, E., Dey, S., Mehta, M., Deshpande, N., & Zemková, E. (2023). Analysis of daily activity pattern to estimate the physical activity level and energy expenditure of elite and non-elite athletes. Applied Sciences, 13(5), 2763. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13052763
Labrador, R. M. S., & Ventola, A. R. M. (2023). Variables associated with motivation to engage in physical activity in adolescents. Retos, 50, 925–930. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v50.96892
Machado-Rodrigues, A. M., e Silva, M. J. C., Mota, J., Santos, R. M., Cumming, S. P., & Malina, R. M. (2012). Physical activity and energy expenditure in adolescent male sport participants and nonparticipants aged 13 to 16 years. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 9(5), 626–633. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.9.5.626
Malina, R. M., Antunes, A., Gouveia, É., Marques, G., Thomis, M., & Freitas, D. (2025). Participants and Non‐Participants in Organised Sports 11–14 Years: Growth, Maturity Status, Physical Activity, Motor Coordination and Physical Fitness. American Journal of Human Biology, 37(5), e70060. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.70060
Malina, R. M., Bouchard, C., & Bar-Or, O. (2004). Growth, maturation, and physical activity (2nd ed.). Human Kinetics.
Marques, A., Ekelund, U., & Sardinha, L. B. (2016). Associations between organised sports participation and objectively measured physical activity, sedentary time and weight status in youth. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 19(2), 154–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2015.02.007
Mehtälä, A., Villberg, J., Blomqvist, M., Huotari, P., Jaakkola, T., Koski, P., Lintunen, T., Mononen, K., Ng, K., Palomäki, S., Sääkslahti, A., Tammelin, T., Vasankari, T., & Kokko, S. (2020). Individual- and environmental-related correlates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in 11-, 13-, and 15-year-old Finnish children. PLoS One, 15(6), e0234686. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234686
Metcalf, B. S., Hosking, J., Jeffery, A. N., Henley, W. E., & Wilkin, T. J. (2015). Exploring the adolescent fall in physical activity: A 10-yr cohort study (EarlyBird 41). Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 47(10), 2084–2092. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000644
Muñoz-Aristizábal, M. A., & Vidarte Claros, J. A. (2025). Low energy availability in athletes and its relationship with body composition: A scoping review. Retos, 68, 1272–1296. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v68.115402
Pacífico, A. B., Camargo, E. M. D., Oliveira, V. D., Vagetti, G. C., Piola, T. S., & Campos, W. D. (2018). Comparison of physical fitness and quality of life between adolescents engaged in sports and those who are not. Revista Brasileira de Cineantropometria e Desempenho Humano, 20(6), 544–554. https://doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2018v20n6p544
Paredes Román, C. D., Durand Gonzales, C. A., Pasquel Cajas, A. F., Isla Alcoser, S. D., Dueñas Caillahua, H., Chávez-Diaz, J. M., Arias Lizares, A., Huanca Rojas, L. M., Aparicio Salas, V. L., & Dávila-Morán, R. C. (2025). Physical activity level, risk of overweight and body adiposity in secondary school students. Retos, 68, 977–990. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v68.116089
Pašić, M., Milanović, I., Radisavljević Janić, S., Jurak, G., Sorić, M., & Mirkov, D. M. (2014). Physical activity levels and energy expenditure in urban Serbian adolescents–A preliminary study. Nutricion Hospitalaria, 30(5), 1044–1053. https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2014.30.5.7748
Radhyan, F. B., Tomar, R., Bursais, A. K., & Alaqil, A. I. (2026). Physical activity, dietary habits, screen time, and sleep duration among Saudi male adolescent athletes and non-athletes: a cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Public Health, 14, 1871762. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1871762
Saucedo-Araujo, R. G., Huertas-Delgado, F. J., Molina-García, J., Lara-Sánchez, A. J., Chillón, P., Mitas, J., & Herrador-Colmenero, M. (2025). Design of an educational proposal in physical education to promote walking to school in adolescents. Retos, 63, 903–917. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v63.109625
Sember, V., Jurak, G., Kovač, M., Đurić, S., & Starc, G. (2020). Decline of physical activity in early adolescence: A 3-year cohort study. PLoS ONE, 15(3), e0229305. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229305
Sorić, M., Meh, K., Rocha, P., Wendel-Vos, W., de Hollander, E., & Jurak, G. (2021). An inventory of national surveillance systems assessing physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sport participation of adults in the European Union. BMC Public Health, 21, 1842. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11842-1
Sorić, M., & Mišigoj-Duraković, M. (2010). Physical activity levels and estimated energy expenditure in overweight and normal weight 11 year old children. Acta Paediatrica, 99(2), 244–250. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01553.x
Štefan, L., Mišigoj-Duraković, M., Devrnja, A., Podnar, H., Petrić, V., & Sorić, M. (2018). Tracking of physical activity, sport participation, and sedentary behaviours over four years of high school. Sustainability, 10(9), 3104. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10093104
Telford, R. M., Telford, R. D., Cochrane, T., Cunningham, R. B., Olive, L. S., & Davey, R. (2016). The influence of sport club participation on physical activity, fitness and body fat during childhood and adolescence: The LOOK Longitudinal Study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 19(5), 400–406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2015.04.008
Toivo, K., Vähä-Ypyä, H., Kannus, P., Tokola, K., Alanko, L., Heinonen, O. J., Korpelainen, R., Parkkari, J., Savonen, K., Selänne, H., Kokko, S., Kujala, U. M., Villberg, J., & Vasankari, T. (2023). Physical activity measured by accelerometry among adolescents participating in sports clubs and non-participating peers. European Journal of Sport Science, 23(7), 1426–1434. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2022.2103740
US Department of Health and Human Services. (2004). Healthy People 2010. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office.
Vilhjalmsson, R., & Kristjansdottir, G. (2003). Gender differences in physical activity in older children and adolescents: the central role of organised sport. Social Science & Medicine, 56(2), 363–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(02)00042-4
World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015128
Zhang, T., Lu, G., & Wu, X. Y. (2020). Associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and self-rated health among the general population of children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 20, 1343. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09447-1
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Milan Pašić
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and ensure the magazine the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this magazine.
- Authors can establish separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Is allowed and authors are encouraged to disseminate their work electronically (eg, in institutional repositories or on their own website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as to a subpoena more Early and more of published work (See The Effect of Open Access) (in English).
This journal provides immediate open access to its content (BOAI, http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess) on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The authors may download the papers from the journal website, or will be provided with the PDF version of the article via e-mail.
