The Perspective of Physical Education Teachers in Spain Regarding Barriers to the Practice of Physical Activity among Immigrant Children and Adolescents: A Qualitative Study.

Romain Marconnot,Eva Solera-Hernández,Jorge Pérez-Corrales,Domingo Palacios-Ceña,Juan Nicolás Cuenca-Zaldívar,Sonia Gutiérrez Gómez-Calcerrada,Cristina García-Bravo,Javier Güeita-Rodríguez,Pilar Carrasco-Garrido

doi:10.3390/ijerph18115598

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) contributes to the development of children and adolescents and to their mental and physical health. The practice of PA in the school context can contribute towards generating a more inclusive educational community for immigrant children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to describe the perspectives of Spanish physical education (PE) teachers on the practice of PA among immigrant children and adolescents. This research was a qualitative exploratory study. A purposeful sampling strategy was used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field notes. Twenty teachers were recruited. An inductive thematic analysis and content analysis were applied. The following topics were identified: (a) Professional expectations; (b) Economic resources; (c) Integration; (d) Family; (e) Religious beliefs and practices; and (f) Gender difference. A predominance of positive emotions was identified in the narratives, and the most repeated words in word clouds were ‘Caribbean’, ‘Latin’, and ‘population’. These findings help to identify PA barriers for immigrant children and adolescents and may contribute to the creation of PA-based interventions in social and educational contexts.

Highlights

IntroductionPhysical activity (PA) is defined as “
The participants reported that the parents of immigrant children and youth prioritize other subjects for their children over physical education (PE) to avoid school failure, especially in the Asian community
The results of this study reveal the perspective of PE teachers on aspects that may condition the practice of Physical activity (PA) in immigrant children and adolescents

Summary

Introduction

Physical activity (PA) is defined as “ . Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscle that requires energy expenditure” [1,2]. Physical activity is beneficial at all ages and is recommended as an active practice in early childhood, necessary for the healthy development of both children and adolescents. Positive effects on mental health have been demonstrated, such as a decreased presence of anxious-depressive symptoms in children and adolescents [6,7]. Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles have been identified as health-related behaviors that negatively impact

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Conclusion