Physical Activity In Spanish Adolescents Research Articles

The Mediating Role Played by Perceived Motor Competence in the Relationship between Motor Competence and Physical Activity in Spanish Adolescents

The promotion of regular physical activity (PA) is becoming one of the main tools applied in developed countries to address health and obesity problems, particularly in view of the proven benefits of PA on a physical, psychological, and social level. Indeed, childhood and adolescence are crucial periods for an active lifestyle can be established, with the prospect of prolonging it in adulthood. The conceptual model propounded by Stodden provides a theoretical underpinning for the relationship between motor competence (MC) and PA. This study’s objective was to explore the predictive value of motor competence (MC) regarding physical activity (PA), along with the mediating role played by self-perceived motor competence (SPMC) and comparatively perceived motor competence (CPMC), with the purpose of confirming the theoretical model propounded by Stodden, as well as the relationships among variables in our own conceptual model. To this end, we tested a random sample of 925 adolescents (53.6% males; 46.3% females, age 13.75 years, SD = 1.28). Participants completed the Multidimensional Sportcomp Battery to evaluate MC and the Achievement Motivation in Physical Education test (AMPET4) to evaluate their perception of their competence; moreover, to evaluate PA, we used three indicators from the WHO Health Behaviour in Schoolchildren survey in the Spanish version. Our final theoretical model explains 19.9% of the variance of sport practice in boys and 24.2% in girls; moreover, it ascribes an important role to self-perceived motor competence (SPMC) and to comparatively perceived motor competence (CPMC) as mediating variables in the relationship between MC and PA in both sexes. Notably, we found a direct relationship between motor coordination/control tests and PA. Overall, this study underscores the degree to which adolescents’ perceived motor competence affects their actual motor competence.

Association between Tobacco Consumption and Problematic Internet Use and the Practice of Physical Activity in Spanish Adolescents.

The practice of physical activity (PA) is a healthy habit that offers health benefits. In contrast, the lack thereof may be associated with an increase in diseases, even at an early age. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between unhealthy behaviors, such as tobacco consumption and problematic internet use, and the practice of PA in adolescents. Protective factors (physical activity and sport) and risk factors (leading a sedentary life, tobacco use, and problematic internet use) were evaluated. Other variables such as sex, the intensity of physical activity, and being a member of a sports federation were also evaluated. The sample consisted of a total of 1222 Spanish adolescents. Univariate descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression were used, and confirmatory factor analyses and structural models were also estimated. The results confirm a significant positive association between physical activity, intensity, and being a member of a sports federation, as well as between cigarette consumption and internet use. It is advisable to implement public policies that promote the practice of sports as a direct investment in health, preventing the consumption of tobacco and other habits that are harmful to the health of adolescents.

Sedentary Behaviors by Type of Day and Physical Activity in Spanish Adolescents: A Socio-Ecological Approach.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between TV and computer use, study time, and physical activity, with regard to gender, school, and weekday/weekend. Adolescents (N = 1,609; M age = 14.5 yr., SD = 1.3) reported on physical activity, sedentary behavior, their parents' employment, and environmental factors. The relationship between PA and screen media behaviors was negative on weekdays, while no relationship was found at weekends. Only 30.7% of adolescents met the screen media guidelines on weekdays and 14.6% at weekends. Girls spent more time on study, only showing a positive relationship with physical activity on weekdays. Each type of sedentary behavior has different correlates for weekdays and weekends.

Validity of the 24-h previous day physical activity recall (PDPAR-24) in Spanish adolescents

The monitoring of physical activity levels in adolescent population, its determinant factors and susceptibility to change is essential to intervene on the obesity epidemic affecting Spanish society. However, the number of validated questionnaires to assess physical activity in Spanish adolescents is scarce. To assess the validity of the 24h Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR-24) questionnaire when it is administered to the Spanish adolescent population. The participants of the study were students, aged between 14 and 15 years, from two secondary schools in the north of Galicia. The measurement of physical activity by the accelerometer Actigraph GT3X was used as criterion. Participants were asked to wear the accelerometer during waking hours for one day and the questionnaire was administered the day after. A total of 79 students (15.16 ± 0.81 years, 36% women) completed the study. Statistically significant positive correlations of high and moderate nature(r=0.50-0.98) were observed for low and moderate intensity physical activity in both sexes. Correlation coefficients were higher as physical activity intensity increased. The PDPAR-24 can be deemed as a valid tool for the assessment of physical activity in Spanish adolescents.

Levels of physical activity in Spanish adolescents (aged 12 to 14) measured by accelerometry

Ramirez-Rico E, Fernandez E, Blandez J. Levels of physical activity in spanish adolescents (aged 12 to 14) measured by accelerometry. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol.8, No. 2, pp. 401-411, 2013. The purpose of this study is to determine whether Spanish adolescents studied attain a level of physical activity, which complies with current guidelines for this age group. 90 adolescents (54 girls and 36 boys) aged 12 to 14 took part in the study. Information was gathered on their activity for a week, using accelerometry. The results show that these young people do not attain the levels of physical activity currently recommended, the results for girls being lower. The results are somewhat better if we include other less demanding patterns of activity. The findings suggest that boys and girls of this age exhibit a level of physical activity, which is closer to the recommendations of the early 1990s than the levels currently recommended for the

Convergent validity of a questionnaire for assessing physical activity in Spanish adolescents with overweight

Objective To evaluate the convergent validity of the PAQ-A for assessing physical activity (PA) in overweight (including obese) adolescents. Material and method Two hundred and three Spanish adolescents (96 females), aged 13–17 years, were selected for this study. Levels of PA were self-reported by 3-day activity diary, activity rating and PAQ-A. Adolescents wore the ActiGraph accelerometer for 7 days. Overweight was classified according to International Obesity Task Force age- and sex-specific body mass index cut offs. Results Fifty-four (33 male and 21 female) adolescents (27%) were classified as overweight or obese. The PAQ-A was moderately related in the overweight adolescent group to an activity rating ( ρ=0.52), total PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA assessed by activity monitor ( ρ=0.52 and 0.43) and total PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA assessed by activity diary ( ρ=0.32 and 0.47). There were no significant differences in the correlation coefficients between non-overweight and overweight adolescents. Conclusion The PAQ-A shows a reasonable validity for assessing PA in Spanish overweight adolescents.

Bone markers and physical activity in Spanish adolescents

Bone markers and physical activity in Spanish adolescents

Validez de cuatro cuestionarios para valorar la actividad física en adolescentes españoles

Objectives The physical activity (PA) levels of Spanish adolescents must be determined to assess how the lack of PA may affect the increasing prevalence of obesity. Thus, to assess PA in this age range valid measurement instruments are essential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of four easily applied questionnaires (the enKid and FITNESSGRAM questions, the Patient-Centered Assessment and Counselling [PACE] questionnaire, and an activity rating) to assess PA in Spanish adolescents by using an accelerometer as the criterion instrument. Methods A total of 232 adolescents (113 girls) completed the questionnaires and wore an ActiGraph accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Spearman's correlation coefficient (rho) was used to compare the questionnaires and total PA, moderate PA, vigorous PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) assessed by the accelerometer. Results All the questionnaires showed moderate correlations when compared against total PA (rho=0.36–0.43) and MVPA (rho=0.34–0.46) obtained by the accelerometer in the total sample. Higher correlations were found when comparing the questionnaires against vigorous PA (rho=0.42–0.51) than against moderate PA (rho=0.15–0.17). The FITNESSGRAM question and the PACE questionnaire obtained weak correlations in girls and the enKid question and activity rating were moderately correlated for boys and girls. Conclusions The four questionnaires evaluated showed acceptable validity in the assessment of PA in the Spanish adolescent population.

Fiabilidad y validez del cuestionario de actividad física PAQ-A en adolescentes españoles

Questionnaires are feasible instruments to assess physical activity (PA) in large samples. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the PAQ-A questionnaire in Spanish adolescents using the measurement of PA by accelerometer as criterion. In a sample of 82 adolescents, aged 12 to 17 years, 1-week PAQ-A test-retest was administered. Reliability was analyzed by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the internal consistency by the Cronbach's alpha Coefficient. Two hundred thirty-two adolescents, aged 13-17 years, completed the PAQ-A and wore the ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer during 7-days. The PAQ-A was compared against total PA and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) obtained by the accelerometer. Test-retest reliability showed ICC = 0.71 for the final score of PAQ-A. Internal consistency was alpha = 0.65 in the first self-report, alpha = 0.67 in the retest in 82 adolescents sample, and alpha = 0.74 in the 232 adolescents sample. The PAQ-A was moderately correlated with total PA (rho = 0.39) and MVPA (rho= 0.34) assessed by the accelerometer. The PAQ-A obtained significantly moderate correlations in boys but not in girls against the accelerometer. The PAQ-A questionnaire shows an adequate reliability and a reasonable validity for assessing PA in Spanish adolescents.