What are the important factors influencing the physical activity level of junior high school students: a cross-sectional survey
BackgroundEngaging in regular physical activity has been consistently linked to improved physical health and academic performance. Despite its known benefits, there is a concerning trend of decreased physical activity among children globally. The study primarily aims to investigate the level of phys...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1380290/full |
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| author | Huijun Ma Xuefeng Li Chengliang Ma Da Teng |
| author_facet | Huijun Ma Xuefeng Li Chengliang Ma Da Teng |
| author_sort | Huijun Ma |
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| description | BackgroundEngaging in regular physical activity has been consistently linked to improved physical health and academic performance. Despite its known benefits, there is a concerning trend of decreased physical activity among children globally. The study primarily aims to investigate the level of physical activity among junior high school students in Taiyuan and analyse the main affecting factors from a socio-ecological perspective.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 650 junior high school students from 7 schools in Taiyuan, and 648 valid questionnaires were ultimately collected. The data on students’ physical activity levels were collected through the Children’s Leisure Activities Study Survey Questionnaire, and the data on factors affecting students’ physical activity were collected through the Student Perceived Factors Affecting Physical Activity Questionnaire.ResultsIn this study, students from the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades participated in physical activities, averaging 214.500 min per week in moderate-intensity and 25.000 min in high-intensity activities, cumulatively averaging 280.000 min weekly. Notably, a significant disparity (p = 0.012) was observed in the combined duration of moderate and high-intensity activities, with male students engaging more time compared to their female counterparts (307.500 vs. 255.000 min). This variance extended across different grades, particularly evident in 8th graders who recorded the highest weekly high-intensity activity duration (31.000 min) and overall physical activity time (320.500 min), surpassing the 7th graders(p = 0.007 for high-intensity activities). Furthermore, an exploratory factor analysis of a 32-item questionnaire, designed to identify determinants of physical activity, revealed six principal components. These components were found to positively correlate with both moderate and high-intensity physical activities.ConclusionResults emphasize that educational institutions and community programs should collaborate to offer engaging weekend physical activity programs. Schools should develop and implement tailored physical education curricula addressing gender and grade differences. Furthermore, schools and local governments should invest in high-quality sports equipment and facilities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-38675d24e5894f66a68ac2ee63492dc8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-38675d24e5894f66a68ac2ee63492dc82025-02-05T15:55:47ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652024-05-011210.3389/fpubh.2024.13802901380290What are the important factors influencing the physical activity level of junior high school students: a cross-sectional surveyHuijun Ma0Xuefeng Li1Chengliang Ma2Da Teng3College of Physical Education, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, ChinaGraduate School of Sport Science, Waseda University, Saitama, JapanSchool of Physical Education, Shanxi Agriculture University, Jinzhong, ChinaSchool of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, ChinaBackgroundEngaging in regular physical activity has been consistently linked to improved physical health and academic performance. Despite its known benefits, there is a concerning trend of decreased physical activity among children globally. The study primarily aims to investigate the level of physical activity among junior high school students in Taiyuan and analyse the main affecting factors from a socio-ecological perspective.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 650 junior high school students from 7 schools in Taiyuan, and 648 valid questionnaires were ultimately collected. The data on students’ physical activity levels were collected through the Children’s Leisure Activities Study Survey Questionnaire, and the data on factors affecting students’ physical activity were collected through the Student Perceived Factors Affecting Physical Activity Questionnaire.ResultsIn this study, students from the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades participated in physical activities, averaging 214.500 min per week in moderate-intensity and 25.000 min in high-intensity activities, cumulatively averaging 280.000 min weekly. Notably, a significant disparity (p = 0.012) was observed in the combined duration of moderate and high-intensity activities, with male students engaging more time compared to their female counterparts (307.500 vs. 255.000 min). This variance extended across different grades, particularly evident in 8th graders who recorded the highest weekly high-intensity activity duration (31.000 min) and overall physical activity time (320.500 min), surpassing the 7th graders(p = 0.007 for high-intensity activities). Furthermore, an exploratory factor analysis of a 32-item questionnaire, designed to identify determinants of physical activity, revealed six principal components. These components were found to positively correlate with both moderate and high-intensity physical activities.ConclusionResults emphasize that educational institutions and community programs should collaborate to offer engaging weekend physical activity programs. Schools should develop and implement tailored physical education curricula addressing gender and grade differences. Furthermore, schools and local governments should invest in high-quality sports equipment and facilities.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1380290/fullphysical activity levelenergy consumptioninfluencing factorsjunior high school studentssocial ecology |
| spellingShingle | Huijun Ma Xuefeng Li Chengliang Ma Da Teng What are the important factors influencing the physical activity level of junior high school students: a cross-sectional survey Frontiers in Public Health physical activity level energy consumption influencing factors junior high school students social ecology |
| title | What are the important factors influencing the physical activity level of junior high school students: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_full | What are the important factors influencing the physical activity level of junior high school students: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_fullStr | What are the important factors influencing the physical activity level of junior high school students: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | What are the important factors influencing the physical activity level of junior high school students: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_short | What are the important factors influencing the physical activity level of junior high school students: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_sort | what are the important factors influencing the physical activity level of junior high school students a cross sectional survey |
| topic | physical activity level energy consumption influencing factors junior high school students social ecology |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1380290/full |
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