Effect of physical activity to reduce stress in school-going children (aged 5-12 years).

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of regular, structured physical activity sessions over a 12-week period on reducing perceived stress among school-going children aged 5-12 years. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Setting: Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Karachi, Pakistan. Period: 1^st September 2025 to 1^st February 2026. Methods: Children aged 5 to 12 years with baseline moderate stress and medically fit for physical activity were enrolled. Participants attended supervised 30-minute structured physical activity sessions three times weekly for 12-week period. Perceived stress was assessed at week-0 and week-12 using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale for Children (PSS-C), scored 0 to 4 per item. Data were analyzed in IBM-SPSS version 26 using appropriate tests with p<0.05 as significant. Results: Out of a total of 239 children analyzed, 129 (54.0%) were males, and 110 (46.0%) females, with median age 8.0 (6.0 to 10.0) years. Baseline median PSS-C score was 20.0 (18.5 to 23.0). Attendance at least 75% occurred in 178 (74.5%) children, while adverse events included muscle soreness 23 (9.6%), fatigue 18 (7.5%), and bruises in 4 (1.7%) children. PSS-C decreased to 14.2 (11.6 to 18.3), median reduction 6.0 (3.0 to 9.0) (p<0.001). Low stress at week-12 was found in 111 (46.4%) children, moderate in 122 (51.0%), and high in 6 (2.5%) children. Conclusion: Twelve-week structured physical activity delivered through schools was associated with a significant reduction in perceived stress among children aged 5 to 12 years with moderate baseline stress.