LSU study examines how restrained seating affects childhood activity

Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in collaboration with investigators from 32 countries participating in the Sunrise International Study, have published new findings examining how restrained sitting contributes to daily movement patterns in childhood.

The study, “Likelihood of meeting restraint seating guidelines in early childhood: An international cross-sectional study,” published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, led by postdoctoral researcher Dr. Katherine Spring, explored how time spent restrained in devices such as car seats and strollers may impact children’s ability to meet movement behavior recommendations during a critical stage of development.

The World Health Organization defines restrained sitting as the time a child is restrained in a seat or device and recommends that children aged 3–4 years should not be restrained for more than 60 minutes at a time.

The findings showed that while the majority of children (82%) met the recommended guidelines for sitting restrained, significant differences emerged depending on daily routine and environment. Children living in urban areas and those who spent more time in motor vehicles each day were significantly less likely to meet the guidelines.

Spending 60 minutes or more per day in a vehicle – a context where restraint is required – was associated with lower chances of meeting the recommendation. In contrast, higher levels of physical activity were associated with a greater likelihood of meeting recommended guidelines.

These findings highlight that restrained sitting is an important but often overlooked component of sedentary behavior in childhood. While the use of restraints is important for safety during transportation, prolonged uninterrupted periods may limit opportunities for movement during a key growth phase.”

Dr. Katherine Spring, Postdoctoral Researcher

The results underscore the importance of balancing safety with opportunities for movement, including breaking up long-term restraints and encouraging daily physical activity.

Dr. Spring and co-authors encourage parents to consider frequent stops on road trips to limit the time their child spends in the stroller and eliminate the time their child spends outside the vehicle in a car seat. Policy makers and city planners should continue to explore ways to reduce daily commute times as a way to promote active mobility and reduce prolonged sitting time among children.