Tělesná Kultura (Mar 2013)

Objectification of the school-related transport monitoring of the adolescents

  • Michal Kudláček,
  • Petra Nováková Lokvencová,
  • Lukáš Rubín,
  • František Chmelík,
  • Karel Frömel

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5507/tk.2013.009
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 36, no. 2
pp. 46 – 64

Abstract

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BACKGROUND: School and school-related physical activity (PA) are important for the total PA of children and youth. The total amount of PA is higher within school days compare to weekends. Children and youth, who use active transportation (to/from the school), confirm the higher PA per week compared to those without active transportation (using car, train, bus). There is a lack of available data in the Czech Republic about active transportation of children and adolescents. AIM: The main aim of the study is the objectification of the school-related transport monitoring of the adolescents. One of the additional outcomes is to enrich this relatively new scientific area in the Czech Republic. METHODS: There was one high school chosen for this project - Gymnázium Nový Jičín. Data were collected by using ActiGraph GT1M, pedometer YAMAX SW-700, NQLS questionnaire and internet system INDARES. RESULTS: By using the newly developer map module "tracker", within the system INDARES, we could compare the participants which active transport (AT) was lower than 1000 m, with participants with the AT values higher than 1000 m. We found out significant differences between school days and weekends in the intensity of 1 to 3 MET. The statistical significance was supported by the coefficient effect size (d = 0.83). The participants recording AT values lower than 1000 m showing significantly higher level of PA in school days then during weekends (p = .003; F = 26.149; ω2 = 0.456). Similar results were found in participants recording AT values higher than 1000 m; the differences between school days and weekends are highly significant (p = .0004; F = 26.149; ω 2 = 0.456). CONCLUSIONS: We have contributed to the objectification of the school-related transport monitoring of the adolescents by the creation of the map module within the INDARES system. The usage of a triangulation approach (objective methods - subjective methods - system INDARES) into the PA monitoring in the context of AT pretends flexible and available research tool, is helpful in describing modern trends and elements of PA monitoring with the focus on environment. The level of AT to/from the school is the important role in the total PA level in children and youth.

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