Examining the effect of physical exercise on digital addiction and sleep quality i̇n 11-13 year old children

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of physical exercise on digital addiction and sleep quality in children aged 11-13. The population of the study consisted of 1505 students studying in two schools in the 2024-2025 academic year. The "Digital Addiction Scale" was applied to the students. Those who did not have parental approval and gave the same answer 10 times on the scales were excluded from the study. Students who were determined to be digitally addicted were randomly divided into two groups as digitally addicted (DA) and digitally addicted exercise group (DAE). The Sleep Quality and Sleep Variables Scale and the Morningness-Eveningness Scale for Children were applied to the students. In accordance with the inclusion criteria, the DA group consisted of 200 students and the DAE group consisted of 198 students. The DAE group was applied a physical exercise program for 8 weeks and 3 days a week. The scales were re-applied after 8 weeks. Descriptive statistics from the data obtained from the study are presented with frequency, percentage (%), and median (min-max) 95% confidence interval. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to compare dependent variables, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare scale scores of two groups. The relationship between scale scores was investigated using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The Kruskal-Wallis Test was used to compare scale scores of more than two independent groups. The level of statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05. While no difference was found between sleep quality and sleep variables, chronotype score and digital addiction levels in the DA group as a result of pre- and post-tests (p>0.05), a statistically significant difference was found in the DAE group. In both groups, a high negative correlation was found between digital addiction and sleep quality and sleep efficiency and chronotype as a result of pre- and post-tests (p<0.05). However, it was found that sleep quality and sleep variables, chronotype score and digital addiction level did not change according to age and gender (p>0.05). As a result of this study, it can be said that digital addiction is a risk factor for sleep quality, sleep efficiency and chronotype in 11-13 year old students and that physical exercise can reduce digital addiction, increase sleep quality and sleep efficiency and reduce chronotype levels in digitally addicted children. For definitive results, studies are needed that include measuring digital addiction, sleep quality and sleep efficiency with objective data such as polysomnography or actimeter and long-term exercise applications.