Abstract
(1) The majority of Canadian youth are not meeting physical activity guidelines, and more female than male youth are falling short of these recommendations. School programs and policies are a viable strategy to improve youth physical activity. However, they may differentially affect female and male activity. This study aimed to examine school-level differences in physical activity outcomes among male and female students and to explore how school programs and policies associate with school-level physical activity outcomes among females. (2) This study used data from 136 schools participating in year 7 (Y7 2018–2019) of the COMPASS study. Data on school programs and policies and on student physical activity were collected. School-level means and percentages for outcomes were calculated and compared between males and females and the impact of physical activity programs and policies on female physical activity outcomes were examined. (3) More males met the guidelines, achieved more strength training days and physical activity minutes compared to females. The number of female varsity sports, community partnerships and fitness ambassadors were all positively and significantly associated with female physical activity. (4) Supportive physical activity environments fostered by offering varsity sports, establishing community partnerships and positive role models may promote physical activity among female youth.
Highlights
Physical activity is important for youth as it aids in healthy development and disease prevention later in life [1,2,3]
Considering the lack of school-level research examining the effect of physical activity programs and policies on population-level female physical activity, this paper aims to examine how school-based programs and policies affect school-level physical activity outcomes among females as outlined in the CanadianSociety for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) guidelines
This study addressed an important gap in the literature by examining how schoollevel physical activity programs and policies associate with school-level physical activity outcomes among female secondary school students
Summary
Physical activity is important for youth as it aids in healthy development and disease prevention later in life [1,2,3]. Youth should accumulate sufficient levels of physical activity, as outlined in the Canadian 24 h Movement Guidelines developed by the Canadian. The CSEP “Sweat” guidelines recommend that youth aged 5–17 years accumulate at least 60 min of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) involving a variety of aerobic activities, as well as vigorous physical activity and muscle and bone strengthening activities at least 3 days per week [6]. Canadian youth fall short of meeting physical activity recommendations. Previous research found that only approximately 35% of Canadian youth aged 5–17 years of age met the recommendation of at least 60 min of MVPA and at least 3 days of strength training [7,8,9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International journal of environmental research and public health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
