Biking and walking are active commuting, which is considered an opportunity to create healthy habits.
The purpose of this study was to determine the main environmental and psychosocial barriers ...perceived by students, leading to less Active Commuting (AC) to university and to not reaching the Physical Activity (PA) recommendations.
In this cross-sectional study, 1349 university students (637 men and 712 women) were selected. A self-reported questionnaire was applied to assess the mode of commuting, PA level and barriers to the use of the AC.
Women presented higher barriers associated with passive commuting than men. The main barriers for women were "involves too much planning" (OR: 5.25; 95% CI: 3.14-8.78), "It takes too much time" (OR: 4.62; 95% CI: 3.05-6.99) and "It takes too much physical effort " (OR: 3.18; 95% CI: 2.05-4.94). In men, the main barriers were "It takes too much time" (OR: 4.22; 95% CI: 2.97-5.99), "involves too much planning" (OR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.67-3.70) and "too much traffic along the route" (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.47-2.93). Psychosocial barriers were found in both sexes.
Psychosocial and personal barriers were more positively associated with passive commuting than environmental barriers. Interventions at the university are necessary to improve the perception of AC and encourage personal organization to travel more actively.
Regular physical activity is an important factor of health in youth. Unfortunately, in Chile 85% of adolescents do not achieve the 60 min daily recommendation of moderate-to-vigorous physical ...activity. Physical education, school recess and after-school time are considered crucial environments for adolescents to meet the recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels. This study compared the moderateto-vigorous physical activity levels between physical education, school recess and after-school time in Chilean secondary school students, and examined the influence of gender and weight status. A hundred and fifty-six Chilean secondary school students (finally 89 participants were included), aged 13-14 years, were monitored by objective measures of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during physical education, school recess and after-school time. Results indicated statistically significant differences in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity between contexts (total minutes: After-school time>physical education>school recess; percentage: Physical education>after-school time=school recess, p<.001) as well as a gender-related influence (boys>girls, p<.05). Policy-makers are encouraged to increase the number of physical education classes and teachers to ensure that more physical education class time is spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, especially among girls. The increase in students’ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels during school recess and after-school time should also be promoted.
El objetivo del presente estudio fue examinar los niveles objetivos de actividad física durante las clases de Educación Física en adolescentes chilenos, identificando posibles diferencias según el ...género. En el presente estudio participaron 156 estudiantes de enseñanza básica de Chile (69 niñas y 87 varones, edad media = 13.5 ± .7 años). Se eliminaron 34 participantes por no cumplir los criterios mínimos de registro, seleccionando finalmente a 122 adolescentes. Se evaluaron los niveles objetivos de actividad física de una clase de Educación Física mediante el acelerómetro GT3X. Los resultados mostraron que ningún participante alcanzó las recomendaciones de tiempo de práctica de actividad física moderada-vigorosa del 50% durante las clases de Educación Física. La mayoría de los estudiantes (50.7% de chicos y 72.5% de chicas) acumularon menos del 10% del tiempo de clase de Educación Física en actividad física moderada-vigorosa. Los chicos presentaron mayores valores de actividad física moderada-vigorosa que las mujeres (p < .05), pero no se encontraron diferencias en el tiempo sedentario ni en la actividad física ligera (p > .05). Los adolescentes chilenos no cumplen las recomendaciones de actividad física moderada-vigorosa en clases de Educación Física. Se discuten diferentes estrategias de incremento del tiempo empleado en dicha actividad física moderada-vigorosa como medidas a considerar.
The main purpose of the present study was to compare the accuracy of total daily steps thresholds associated to the recommended 60 min per day moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in adolescents. A ...total of 156 adolescents, 87 males and 69 females, participated in the present study. Objectively-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and steps were assessed by GT3X accelerometers for eight consecutive days. The accuracy of the following total daily steps thresholds was calculated (males/females): 9,930, 11,714, 12,000, 11,000/10,500, 14,000/11,500, 13,000/12,000, 8,500/7,500, 11,500/9,000, 10,500/9,500, 12,118, 12,118/12,605, and 10,000. The results of accuracy both uncensored and censored total daily steps cut-off points ranged from low to high. For the uncensored total daily steps, the cut-off 11,000 for males and 10,500 for females showed the best results: Sensitivity = .85; Specificity = .94; Youden’s index = .78; Proportion of agreement = .93, and Kappa coefficient = .67, p < .001. For the censored total daily steps, the 10,000 cut-off score showed the best results: Sensitivity = .77; Specificity = .95; Youden’s index = .72; Proportion of agreement = .93, and Kappa coefficient = .65, p < .001. Among adolescents for accelerometry-measured total daily steps the 11,000 for males and 10,500 for females cut-off points should be used. For population guidelines regarding health-enhancing steps in adolescents, the cut-off point of 10,000 daily steps seems to be the most appropriate. Resumen. El propósito principal del presente estudio fue comparar la precisión de los umbrales de pasos diarios totales asociados a la recomendación de 60 minutos por día de actividad física moderada-vigorosa en adolescentes. Un total de 156 adolescentes, 87 varones y 69 mujeres, participaron en el presente estudio. La actividad física moderada-vigorosa y pasos se evaluaron objetivamente con acelerómetros GT3X durante ocho días consecutivos. Se calculó la precisión de los siguientes umbrales de pasos diarios totales (varones/mujeres): 9.930, 11.714, 12.000, 11.000/10.500, 14.000/11.500, 13.000/12.000, 8.500/7.500, 11.500/9.000, 10.500/9.500, 12.118, 12.118/12.605 y 10.000. Los resultados de precisión para los puntos de corte de los pasos diarios ajustados y no ajustados variaron de bajo a alto. Para los pasos diarios no ajustados, los puntos de corte 11.000 para los varones y 10.500 para las mujeres mostraron los mejores resultados: Sensibilidad= 0,85; Especificidad= 0,94; Índice de Youden= 0,78; Proporción de acuerdo= 0,93, y coeficiente de Kappa= 0,67, p < 0,001. Para los pasos diarios ajustados, el puntaje de corte de 10.000 mostró los mejores resultados: Sensibilidad= 0,77; Especificidad= 0,95; Índice de Youden= 0,72; Proporción de acuerdo= 0,93, y coeficiente de Kappa= 0,65, p < 0,001. Entre los adolescentes para los pasos diarios totales medidos con acelerometría se deberían utilizar los puntos de corte 11.000 para los varones y 10.500 para las mujeres. Para las recomendaciones a nivel poblacional sobre los pasos relacionados con la salud en los adolescentes, el punto de corte de 10.000 pasos diarios parece ser el más apropiado.
: To compare the differences in the modes and distance of the displacements in high school and university stage in the same sample.
: A total of 1288 volunteer university students (614 males and 674 ...females) participated, with an average age of 22.7 ± 5.8 years, belonging to four private and public universities in Chile where a validated self-report questionnaire was applied to the study, which included the modes, travel time, and distance at school and university.
: The active commuting decreases from school to university when leaving home (males: 39.6% to 34.0%;
= 0.033 and females: 32.9% to 18.5%,
< 0.001), as well as when returning (males: 44.1% to 33.7%;
< 0.001 and females: 38.6% to 17.6%,
< 0.001). Conversely, non-active modes of transport increase, especially in females (go: 67.1% to 81.4%, return: 61.5% to 82.6%), affected by the increase in the use of public transportation in university. It was also defined that at both school and at university, the active commuting decreases the greater the distance travelled.
: The active modes of commuting decreased between high school and university and the non-active mode of commuting was the most frequent form of mobility to high school and university, observing that the active trips decreased when the distance from the home to high school or university increased. Public and private intervention policies and strategies are required to maintain or increase the modes of active commuting in the university stage for an active life in adulthood.
Sport can be an effective means of transmitting values and fostering coexistence in environments inhabited by different cultural identities. However, it can also have an adverse effect when ...approaches that exacerbate rivalries are employed. Therefore, it is relevant to study the values linked to sport in contexts that are culturally diverse. The aim of this research carried out in Chile was to characterise the values linked to the practice of physical and sporting activities among Chilean students and Latin American immigrants who belong to vulnerable educational centres. For this, under a quantitative approach, a descriptive, cross-sectional, collective case study was carried out. For data collection, an ad-hoc questionnaire designed for the research was applied. The sample consisted of 412 students aged 12 to 18 years (15.87±2.03 years; 23.8% are foreigners and 76.2% are Chilean) from different macro-zones of the country belonging to three vulnerable educational centres. The results show that Chilean and immigrant students present similar results in the four dimensions analysed (status, morale, competence and enjoyment of practice). However, foreigners have higher averages in most of them, except for "status" where Chileans have a higher average. When separating immigrant students into those from "neighbouring" and "non-neighbouring" countries, it is observed that the latter have greater differences (in means) with Chileans in all dimensions, a fact that may be related to cultural reasons.
El deporte puede ser un medio eficaz para la transmisión de valores y favorecer la convivencia en entornos habitados por diferentes identidades culturales. No obstante, también puede tener un efecto adverso cuando se emplean enfoques que exacerban las rivalidades. Por ello, es relevante estudiar los valores vinculados al deporte en contextos que son culturalmente diversos. La presente investigación desarrollada en Chile, tuvo por objetivo: caracterizar los valores que vinculan a la práctica de actividades físico-deportivas los estudiantes chilenos e inmigrantes latinoamericanos que pertenecen a centros educativos vulnerables. Para ello, bajo un enfoque cuantitativo, se desarrolló un estudio colectivo de casos de tipo descriptivo y corte transversal. Para la recolección de datos se aplicó un cuestionario ad-hoc diseñado para la investigación. La muestra estuvo conformada por 412 estudiantes con edades de 12 a 18 años (15.87±2.03 años; 23.8% son extranjeros y un 76.2% chilenos) de diferentes macrozonas del país que pertenecen a tres centros educativos catalogados como vulnerables. Los resultados señalan que los estudiantes chilenos e inmigrantes presentan resultados similares en las cuatro dimensiones analizadas (estatus, moral, competencia y disfrute de la práctica). Sin embargo, los extranjeros poseen medias superiores en la mayoría de ellas, salvo en “estatus” donde los chilenos exhiben una media más elevada. Al separar los estudiantes inmigrantes entre los que provienen de países “colindantes” y “no colindantes”, se observa que estos últimos poseen mayores diferencias (de medias) con los chilenos en todas las dimensiones, hecho que puede estar relacionado con motivos culturales.
El deporte puede ser un medio eficaz para la transmisión de valores y favorecer la convivencia en entornos habitados por diferentes identidades culturales. No obstante, también puede tener un ...efecto adverso cuando se emplean enfoques que exacerban las rivalidades. Por ello, es relevante estudiar los valores vinculados al deporte en contextos que son culturalmente diversos. La presente investigación desarrollada en Chile, tuvo por objetivo: caracterizar los valores que vinculan a la práctica de actividades físico-deportivas los estudiantes chilenos e inmigrantes latinoamericanos que pertenecen a centros educativos vulnerables. Para ello, bajo un enfoque cuantitativo, se desarrolló un estudio colectivo de casos de tipo descriptivo y corte transversal. Para la recolección de datos se aplicó un cuestionario ad-hoc diseñado para la investigación. La muestra estuvo conformada por 412 estudiantes con edades de 12 a 18 años (15.87±2.03 años; 23.8% son extranjeros y un 76.2% chilenos) de diferentes macrozonas del país que pertenecen a tres centros educativos catalogados como vulnerables. Los resultados señalan que los estudiantes chilenos e inmigrantes presentan resultados similares en las cuatro dimensiones analizadas (estatus, moral, competencia y disfrute de la práctica). Sin embargo, los extranjeros poseen medias superiores en la mayoría de ellas, salvo en “estatus” donde los chilenos exhiben una media más elevada. Al separar los estudiantes inmigrantes entre los que provienen de países “colindantes” y “no colindantes”, se observa que estos últimos poseen mayores diferencias (de medias) con los chilenos en todas las dimensiones, hecho que puede estar relacionado con motivos culturales.
Abstract. Sport can be an effective means of transmitting values and fostering coexistence in environments inhabited by different cultural identities. However, it can also have an adverse effect when approaches that exacerbate rivalries are employed. Therefore, it is relevant to study the values linked to sport in contexts that are culturally diverse. The aim of this research carried out in Chile was to characterise the values linked to the practice of physical and sporting activities among Chilean students and Latin American immigrants who belong to vulnerable educational centres. For this, under a quantitative approach, a descriptive, cross-sectional, collective case study was carried out. For data collection, an ad-hoc questionnaire designed for the research was applied. The sample consisted of 412 students aged 12 to 18 years (15.87±2.03 years; 23.8% are foreigners and 76.2% are Chilean) from different macro-zones of the country belonging to three vulnerable educational centres. The results show that Chilean and immigrant students present similar results in the four dimensions analysed (status, morale, competence and enjoyment of practice). However, foreigners have higher averages in most of them, except for "status" where Chileans have a higher average. When separating immigrant students into those from "neighbouring" and "non-neighbouring" countries, it is observed that the latter have greater differences (in means) with Chileans in all dimensions, a fact that may be related to cultural reasons.
Background: Fitness is a powerful marker of health associated with physical activity (PA) in university students. However, insufficient PA is a serious health concern among university students. ...Active commuting provides an opportunity for increased PA levels. Therefore, the aims of this study were (a) to describe the mode of commuting, PA and fitness in university students; (b) to analyze the associations of mode of commuting with PA and fitness; and c) to analyze the relationship between mode of commuting, PA recommendations and fitness. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 1257 university students (52.4% women) participated (22.4 ± 5.6 years old). Results: Public commuting was the main mode to and from university. Active and public commuters were more likely to meet the PA recommendations and reported higher muscular strength than those using private commuting. Active and public commuters who met PA recommendations present the highest fitness in most of its components. Conclusions: Achieving the PA recommendations was more relevant than adopting an active mode of commuting in order to have better fitness. Further research targeting a broader understanding of the mode of commuting, PA levels and fitness in university students is needed.
Although regular physical activity is recommended for health, highly contaminated air exposure acts to the detriment of the benefits produced in individuals. The purpose of the present study was to ...compare the accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior during the whole day, in-school time, out-of-school time, and school breaks between highly contaminated air days and non-highly contaminated air days in Chilean adolescents. Nineteen adolescents from Santiago of Chile were assessed by a GT3X accelerometer. The vertical axis and steps per minute for the whole day, and both of these variables together with the percentage of time of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity level in the out-of-school time period were higher in highly contaminated air days than in non-highly contaminated air days (p < 0.05; with effect sizes from r = 0.36 to r = 0.46). Results for sedentary behavior were similar in both conditions for every period of time analyzed. These results allow us to conclude the lack of awareness of the participants in this research regarding the health repercussions in relation to the physical activity performed during air pollution exposure. Some strategies in order to improve the Chilean adolescents' physical activity and sedentary behavior are suggested and discussed.
All Latin-American countries are affected by the lack of physical activity and its consequences on youth. Chile’s population has shown troublingly low levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical ...activity. This is the first study using objectively measured physical activity levels in Chilean adolescents. The objectives were to compare the compliance with daily recommendations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity between physical education and non-physical education days, and to compare physical activity levels according to gender, age and weight status. A total of 123 Chilean secondary students (52 girls and 71 boys; 13.5 ± 0.7 years old) participated in this study. Physical activity was registered by GT3X accelerometers during an entire week. Results showed that there was a significant increase in the proportion of adolescents achieving the daily recommendation of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on physical education days (23.6%) than on non-physical education days (14.6%) (p ≤ 0.05). Boys and older adolescents presented statistically higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on physical education days than on non-physical education days. No differences were found in weight status comparison. Physical education has been found to be a crucial element in achieving the daily recommendations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Diverse strategies in order to increase the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in physical education according to the factors analysed are reported and discussed.
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