Search Results (8)

Background/Objectives: Research considering objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviors (SB) and health outcomes among urban children has produced equivocal findings. Therefore, this study was designed (i) to compare MVPA and SB of urban and non-urban children and (ii) to analyze associations between the risk of overweight and MVPA of children by their degree of urbanization. Methods: The sample comprised 389 children (195 girls) aged 6 to 10 years. Measurements for height and weight were taken, followed by the calculation of body mass index (BMI). A motion sensor was employed to gather data on MVPA and SB for 7 days. Urban regions were characterized as areas with a population density exceeding 500 inhabitants per square kilometer or having a total population greater than 50,000. ANOVAs, partial correlations, and logistic regression analysis were used, controlling for potential confounders. Results: After controlling for wearing time and sex, urban children were significantly less active (lower MVPA) than non-urban peers [i.e., urban: 48 min/day vs. 51 min/day (non-urban)]. On the other hand, urban children spent significantly more time on SB than their non-urban counterparts on the weekend and during all assessed days. MVPA was significantly associated with the risk of being overweight at the weekend for both urban and non-urban children. Inspection of the final regression model indicated that urban children who engaged in sedentary behavior for extended periods were at a higher risk of being categorized as overweight. Conclusions: Findings revealed the association between MVPA and the risk of overweight on weekdays was just significant for urban children. The location where a child lives significantly influences their weight status, and therefore, community-based programs [at schools (PE and recess) and after-school (organized sports)] should be developed that encourage active lifestyles tailored to urban environments. Full article

A three-wave prospective study was conducted to provide a better understanding of the ability of the integrated model of self-determination theory (SDT) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict future physical activity (PA) engagement among adolescents. Nearly 2500 secondary school students from China were recruited to test the hypothesized pathway from autonomous motivation from SDT at baseline (T1) through the constructs of TPB one month later (T2) on leisure-time PA levels of secondary school students three months later (T3). The findings revealed that the structural equation models yielded excellent fit indices with χ² = 1858.989, df = 257, CFI = 0.936, TLI = 0.926, RMSEA = 0.050 [90% CI = 0.048 to 0.052], and SRMR = 0.032. In particular, autonomous motivation at T1 was positively associated with attitude (R² = 0.160), subjective norms (R² = 0.160), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) (R² = 0.173) at T2 (β = 0.395 to 0.414, p < 0.001) and subsequently associated with intention at T2 (R² = 0.875, β = 0.112 to 0.478, p < 0.001). T2 intention was positively associated with leisure-time PA levels (R² = 0.004) at T3. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the motivational mechanisms and social cognition processes involved in predicting adolescents’ leisure-time PA levels among adolescents. Full article

(1) Background: This study explores the potential energy expenditure associated with participation in after-school sports activities among primary school children. (2) Methods: The study involved 129 children age (11.35 ± 0.55 years) recruited from eight different public after-school sport programs. (3) Results: Data analyses revealed significant differences between the eight sports in total calories per session, calories per minute, and METs (p < 0.05). All sports showed higher energy expenditure compared to chess (p < 0.05), with soccer and rugby exhibiting the highest energy expenditure per session. Team sports showed elevated energy consumption per session (p < 0.01, r > 0.30), calories per minute (p = 0.01, r > 0.40), and METs (p < 0.01, r > 0.40) in comparison with individual sports. (4) Conclusions: These findings enhance our understanding of the energy expenditure observed in primary school children following various after-school sports activities. The results indicate that team sports, in particular, are pivotal in elevating physical activity levels, thereby playing an essential role in fostering healthier lifestyles among children. Full article

The roles of physical activity and the reduction in sedentary activities in the healthy physical, psychosocial and mental development of children and adolescents are undisputed. This is where the concept of Moving School comes in, which has been expanded to a holistic approach that takes into account all areas of the school, including lessons, after-school care and breaks, and aims to provide students with a sufficient level of physical activity. There are no current studies that show to what extent this concept has arrived in the theoretical specifications for higher secondary schools and to what extent it is implemented in practice. In this study, by conducting a narrative review, we determine the core elements of the concept of Moving School. Furthermore, we analyse the extent to which these elements of Moving School are taken into account in the school curriculum, in published school programmes and on school homepages. In this study, we revealed that the concept of Moving School has hardly been implemented in practice in Bavarian higher secondary schools as mostly only single elements of it are referred to in the school curriculum, programmes and school homepages. It can therefore be assumed that the concept has not yet been able to achieve its intended effect, namely, to fill the daily lives of schoolchildren with movement, play and sport. Full article

Regular physical activity (PA) contributes to health, growth and development in childhood and it is essential for children to achieve appropriate PA levels (PAL). However, most children around the world fail to comply with the recommended PAL requirements. Rope skipping, as a highly accessible, enjoyable, and affordable physical activity for students, has been considered a sustainable afterschool physical activity to promote physical fitness of students by educators. The booming development of smart fitness product design and the advent of exergames have brought new possibilities for physical education and rope skipping: personalized guidance, intuitive and interesting feedback and visualized exercise data analysis—there is much room for optimization. In this study, an intelligent skipping rope and its service system were studied for primary school students (aged 7–12) who started to get involved in this sport. First, user needs, product functions, and system requirement were summarized by conducting observations and user interviews. Then, a prototype of the hardware and software interface were designed based on analysis of user research. Next, a usability test of the interactive prototype was carried out and optimization was finally made based on the feedback of the usability evaluation. The final system design includes combined innovations in software and hardware with the intention to increase children’s participation in physical activity and assist them in skipping rope in the right way with proper equipment and programs. Full article

Social-emotional skills have been an important object of study in recent years due to their relationship with academic, personal and professional success. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between these skills and different influential variables. The participants had a mean age of 14.18 years. The instruments used were the Social Emotional Competence Questionnaire (SECQ) and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PACQ-A). Generally, the results indicated gender differences and no influence of age. Those who engaged in after-school activities scored higher on social awareness. In addition, artistic and musical extracurricular activities were associated with social-emotional skills, whereas sports activities were not. It was also found that the physical activity index was not related to socioemotional factors, except in self-awareness and in a negative way. It is necessary to analyse the quality of the extracurricular programmes offered and the training of the professionals in charge of their development. It also seems important to take into account the gender perspective in competence work, increasing self-management in girls and relationship management in boys. Full article

The use of wireless sensors to measure motion in non-laboratory settings continues to grow in popularity. Thus far, most validated systems have been applied to measurements in controlled settings and/or for prescribed motions. The aim of this study was to characterize adolescent hip joint motion of elite-level athletes (soccer players) during practice and recreationally active peers (controls) in after-school activities using a magneto-inertial measurement unit (MIMU) system. Opal wireless sensors (APDM Inc., Portland OR, USA) were placed at the sacrum and laterally on each thigh (three sensors total). Hip joint motion was characterized by hip acceleration and hip orientation for one hour of activity on a sports field. Our methods and analysis techniques can be applied to other joints and activities. We also provide recommendations in order to guide future work using MIMUs to pervasively assess joint motions of clinical relevance. Full article

The relationship between students’ school environment and exercise habits is complex, and is affected by numerous factors. However, the few studies that have been conducted on this relationship have reported inconsistent results, especially regarding Taiwanese students. We conducted this cross-sectional study to investigate the association of school environment and after-school physical activity with health-related physical fitness in Taiwanese adolescents. Data were drawn from a national survey conducted by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan in 2008 of health-related physical fitness measurements among junior high school students (649,442 total) in grades seven to nine.School environment (level of urbanization, school size, presence of sports field or gymnasium) and after-school physical activity were assessed for their association with adolescents’ physical fitness measurements (body mass index (BMI), bent-leg sit-ups, 800-/1600-m run, sit-and-reach, standing long jump). Urban boys and girls perform significantly better in muscle strength and endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and explosive power; girls from rural areas exhibited significantly worse scores in body composition. Boys from large-size schools performed the worst in cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and explosive power; whereas girls from large-size schools performed the worst in muscle strength, muscle endurance, and explosive power, but had the best score for body composition. However, the differences in body composition of boys from large-, medium-, and small- size schools did not reach a statistically significant level. Adolescents of both genders in schools with a sports field or gymnasium exhibited significantly better in muscle strength and endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and explosive power. Boys in schools with a sports field or gymnasium had significantly better body composition; girls in schools with sports field or gymnasium differed significantly in flexibility. Adolescents of both genders who participated in physical activity after school had significantly better body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility. Boys who participated in physical activity after school significantly differed in explosive power, whereas girls who participated in physical activity after school exhibited significantly better flexibility. Thus, the current study demonstrated that some factors, including urbanization (school location in rural or urban areas), school size, school facility provision (school with or without sports fields or gymnasiums), and after-school physical activity participation are more important than others in shaping adolescents’ physical fitness in Taiwan; meanwhile, these association patterns differed by gender. Full article