Physical activity levels in adolescents: a case study

Abstract

Physical Activity (PA) is very important during childhood and adolescence in order to promote healthy development and prevent obesity. The WHO recommends 60 minutes daily of moderate-vigorous activity (e» 3 METs/day). The main objective of the study is to assess the levels of PA intensity performed daily by adolescents from a school using the triaxial accelerometry system and to know if they achieve the WHO recommendations. The sample size was 60 Spanish adolescents (14.52 ± .854 year-old) belongs to the Empordá school (Empúries, Spain). Previous informed consent was obtained from their parents and/or tutors. PA levels were obtained through accelerometry, Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated though weight and height, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured using a digital automatic blood pressure monitor. Descriptive for all data was calculated, and T–test (p < .05) was used to analyze the differences between boys and girls. The main result show that males performed PA during longer time and at higher intensity than women. There is a low percentage of students who achieve the WHO recommendations. In conclusion, we believe very important to seek new strategies and methods to involve more adolescents in the practice of PA, and we believe that PA sessions at school are very important.

Keywords

• physical activity
• intensity
• energy expenditure
• adolescents
• accelerometry
• accelerometer