Skip to main content

Table 1 Screening protocol

From: Factors associated with physical activity participation among children: a systematic review protocol

1) Title and abstract screening

A) Is the study published in English?

If “yes,” go to B

If “no,” exclude the study

B) Does the study involve one of the following designs or analyses:

 • Analytical cross-sectional studies, case–control studies

 • Longitudinal studies

 • Randomized controlled trials, and non-randomized trials

If the answer is “yes,” go to C

OR if it is not

clearly stated

in the abstract, go to C

If the publication is a commentary, perspective, editorial, review, or conference abstract,

exclude the study

C) Does the study explain PA as any physical activity/exercise for a minimum of 60 min in a day for a minimum of 3 days in a week. There is no restriction on the mode and setting of PA. It should include moderate or vigorous activity (causing a noticeable to a substantial increase in HR and breathing, respectively) Activities like such as brisk walking, running, swimming, dancing, and strength training (e.g., tug of war, climbing a tree, or working with Thera bands)

If the answer is “yes” OR if it is not clearly stated and you are in doubt, then include the study for a full-text screening and move to “D”

If “no,” exclude the study

2) Full-text screening

D) Does the study involve children aged 5–18 years

If “yes,” go to E

If “no,” exclude the study OR if the study includes differently abled children, children under medical treatment, and those taking medications for illnesses such as neurological, cardiac, and mental health conditions

E) Does the study involve one of the following designs or analyses: analytical cross-sectional studies, case–control studies, longitudinal studies randomized controlled trials, and non-randomized trials

If the answer is “yes,” go to F

If no, exclude the study

F) Does the study explains the PA

Any physical activity/exercise for a minimum of 60 min in a day for a minimum of 3 days in a week. There is no restriction on the mode and setting of PA. It should include moderate or vigorous activity (causing a noticeable to a substantial increase in HR and breathing, respectively) Activities like such as brisk walking, running, swimming, dancing, and strength training (e.g., tug of war, climbing a tree, or working with Thera bands)

If the answer is “yes,” then move to G OR if it is not clearly stated and in doubt:

flag for discussion

If “no,” exclude the study

G) Does the study include outcomes of our interest? Such as (a) individual factors known to influence one’s propensity for being physically active regularly; (b) social environmental factors: the way one interacts socially and with the environment; (c) policy factors: which include the regulatory laws, formal or informal, implied by government or organizations to support PA participation. Secondary outcomes (a) categorization of enablers and barriers to physical activity according to WHO geographical regions; (b) strategies and interventions used to increase/promote physical activity among children

If the answer is “yes,” then include it for data analysis

If “no,” exclude the study