Kinesiology, Vol. 47. No. 2., 2015.
Original scientific paper
Differences in physical activity levels in school-based contexts – influence of gender, age, and body weight status
Daniel Mayorga Vega
orcid.org/0000-0002-4494-4113
; Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, Spain
Jesus Viciana
orcid.org/0000-0002-5424-118X
; Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, Spain
Abstract
The purposes of this study were to compare the objectively measured physical activity levels across physical education, school playtime and extra-curricular sport in secondary school students, as well as to
examine the influence of gender, age, and body weight status on adolescents’ objective physical activity levels in these contexts. A hundred and two secondary school students (age 12.53±1.56 years) participated in the present study. Students’ objective physical activity levels were estimated by the multi-sensor device SenseWear Pro2 Armband during a physical education, school playtime and extra-curricular sport session. The result of the one-way multivariate analysis of covariance indicated statistically significant higher values of steps/
min, average metabolic equivalent of task, and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in extracurricular sport than in physical education and school playtime (p<.001). Additionally, metabolic equivalent of task values were statistically significantly greater in physical education than in school playtime (p<.001). On the other hand, the results of the two-way multivariate analyses of covariance showed an influence of gender and age on physical activity levels in these contexts (p<.001), whilst for body weight status no
influence was found (p>.05). This preliminary evidence could inform and guide future policy regarding the promotion of physical activity among adolescents in these important school-based contexts. Since physical activity engagement in compulsory physical activity contexts, such as physical education lessons, is clearly insufficient, parents, teachers and institutions should encourage students to achieve health-related physical activity levels during their free time.
Keywords
physical education; school playtime; extra-curricular sport; SenseWear Pro2 Armband; secondary school students; adolescents
Hrčak ID:
150541
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2015.
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