Table 1 Measures used as socio-ecological predictors of organised sports participation and dropout

Child characteristics and intrapersonal predictors

Child’s Sex (PP)

Child sex (Male/Female)

Indigenous Status (PP)

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (Yes/No)

BMI (TP)

Measured by trained professional [Weight(kg)/Height(m)²]

Waist Circumference (TP)

Measured by trained professional (cm)

Gross Motor Coordination – Gross Motor Coordination Scale (PP)

3 item scale assessing how well the child can run, jump, and balance on one leg compared to their peers. 1 (Better than other children) – 3 (Not as well as other children).

Physical Health - PedsQL Physical Health Subscale (PP)

8 items assessing physical health-related quality of life. 1 (Never) to 5 (Almost always) [23].

Social Functioning - PedsQL Social Functioning Subscale (PP)

5 items assessing health-related social functioning. 1 (Never) to 5 (Almost always) [23].

Emotional Functioning - PedsQL Emotional Functioning Subscale (PP)

5 items assessing health-related emotional functioning. 1 (Never) to 5 (Almost always) [23].

School Functioning - PedsQL School Functioning Subscale (PP)

5 items assessing health-related school functioning. 1 (Never) to 5 (Almost always) [23].

Mental Health - SDQ Total Difficulties Score (PP)

20 items assessing total number of psychological difficulties including peer, emotional, hyperactivity, and conduct problems [24].

Injuries (PP)

1 item: In the last 12 months, how many times did the child need medical attention from a doctor or hospital because he/she was hurt or injured?

Screen Time (weekly) (PP)

Sum of hours watching TV and DVDs, using computer, and playing electronic games on a typical weekday (×5), and on a typical weekend day (×2).

Time in Physical Activity (PP)

Sum of items “Active free play”, “Organised Physical Activity”, “Riding a Bike” and “Walking”, derived from the LSAC Time Use Diary on one random weekday (×5) and weekend day (×2).

PA Level during Organised School PA (Te)

1 item: During organised activities for your class, how does this child compare with other children in the class in terms of level of physical activity? 1 (A lot less active than most) to 5 (A lot more active than most).

PA Level during School Recess and Lunch (Te)

1 item: During play with friends at recess or lunch time, how does this child compare with other children in the class in terms of level of physical activity? 1 (A lot less active than most) to 5 (A lot more active than most).

Introverted Temperament - School-Aged Temperament Inventory Introversion subscale (PP)

4 items assessing the child’s initial response to new people and situations. 1 (Never) to 5 (Always) [25].

Persistent Temperament - School-Aged Temperament Inventory Persistent Subscale (PP)

4 items assessing the degree of self-direction that the child exhibits in fulfilling tasks and other responsibilities. 1 (Never) to 5 (Always) [25].

Reactive Temperament - School-Aged Temperament Inventory Reactive Subscale (PP)

4 items assessing the intensity and frequency with which the child exhibits negative effect. 1 (Never) to 5 (Always) [25].

Parenting styles, family characteristics, and interpersonal predictors

Number of People in Household (PP)

Number of people in household

Main Language Spoken at Home (PP)

1 item: What is the main language spoken at home? Categorised as English/Other.

Primary Parent Highest Education (PP)

Primary parent’s highest level of education. 1 (Not finished high school) to 3 (Tertiary degree).

Standardised Household Income (PP)

Self-reported household income in dollars per week divided by the square root of the number of people in the household [26].

Parental PA – Days per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity (PP)

1 item: About how many days each week do you do at least 30 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity (like walking briskly, riding a bike, gardening, tennis, swimming, running, etc?) 0-7.

Parental Concern about Child’s Weight (PP)

1 item: How concerned are you about your child’s weight at the moment? 1 (Not at all) to 4 (Very).

Parental PA with Child (PP)

In the past week, on how many days have you or an adult in your family, played a game outdoors or exercised together like walking, swimming, cycling? 0 (Not in the past week); 1 (1 or 2 days); 2 (3-5 days); 3 (6-7 days).

Child taken to Sporting Event (PP)

In the past month, has child gone to a sporting event where the child was not a player, with you or another family member? Yes/No

Warm Parenting Style (PP)

6 items assessing the frequency of warm and affectionate behaviours towards the child [27].

Harsh Parenting Style (PP)

3 items assessing the frequency of yelling and smacking interactions with the child [28].

Protective Parenting Style - Overprotective parenting scale (PP)

3 items assessing the extent to which the parent is overprotective of the child [29].

Child gets Bullied at School (PP)

In the last 12 months, has study child been bullied at school? (‘At school’ includes travel to and from school). Yes/No

Community, demographic, and social predictors

Neighbourhood Remoteness - Australian Remoteness Indicator for Areas Categories (PP)

Australian Remoteness Indicator for Areas Categories. 0 (Highly accessible) to 4 (Very remote) [30].

Availability of Parks and Playgrounds (PP)

1 item: There are good parks, playgrounds and play spaces in this neighbourhood. 1 (Strongly agree) to 4 (Strongly disagree).

Availability of Public Transport (PP)

1 item: There is access to close, affordable, regular public transport in this neighbourhood. 1 (Strongly agree) to 4 (Strongly disagree).

Safe to Play Outside (PP)

1 Item: How strongly do you agree or disagree with the statement: It is safe for children to play outside during the day. 1 (Strongly agree) to 4 (Strongly disagree).

Time spent in PE during School Time (Te)

1 Item: How much time per week, in total, do children in your class spend participating in physical education?

Access to a PE Teacher at School (Te)

1 Item: Does this child’s class have access to a specialist Physical education teacher? Yes/No