PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND LEISURE HABITS IN STUDENTS AGED 9-14: DIFFERENCES BY GENDER.

1. Physical Activity and Health Education in European Schools PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND LEISURE HABITS IN STUDENTS AGED 9-14: DIFFERENCES BY GENDER. García-Aparicio, A.; Ruiz-Vicente, D.; Theirs-Rodríguez, C.I.; Salinero, J.J.; Pardo, R.; Pérez-González, B. Instituto de Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad Camilo José Cela (Madrid-España). INTRODUCTION RESULTS Evidence strongly demonstrates that physical fitness and health status of children and youth are substantially enhanced by frequent physical activity (1), however recent studies in our country are discouraging. In the enKid study it was observed that 19.8% of the boys and 30% of the girls aged 10-13 never do sport activities (2). National Health Survey showed that less than 30% of the children between the ages of 6 and 15 are active (3). Children and young population spend more time watching TV than playing sports. Significant gender differences were observed in the Physical Activity Index (t=3.96;p=.000)(Fig.1), as well as in regulated sport activities participation (U=22,915;p=.000), recreational activities (U=26,158;p=.042), moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (U=21,724;p=.000) and participation in competitive sport (U=23,874;p=.000) (Fig.2). 53% of the boys did MVPA more than 2 hours a week, while only 31% of the girls reached this practice. Only 6% of the boys and 12% of the girls never played sports. On the other hand, it was observed a significant relationship between gender and “listening to music” (χ2=26.02;p=.000), “reading” (χ2=10.40;p=.001), and “talking with friends” (χ2=8.25;p=.004) where girls did it to a large extent; whereas “playing with the computer or video games” (χ2=8.68;p=.003) and “playing sports” (χ2=22.81;p=.000) is wider practiced by boys (Fig.3).  OBJECTIVE Analyze differences in physical activity and leisure habits between boys and girls aged 9-14 from schools that promote sports. Table 1. Age and basic anthropometric data (mean ± SD) METHOD • 490 subjects (See table 1), answered a modified version of the Assessment of Physical Activity Level Questionnaire (4). • Descriptive statistics, contingency tables and contrast of means were used to analyze differences between boys and girls. * ** * ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** REFERENCES 1. Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee. Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, 2008. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008. 2. RomanB, Serra L, Ribas L, Pérez-Rodrigo C, Aranceta J. Actividad física en la población infantil y juvenil española en el tiempo libre. EstudioenKid (1998-2000). ApuntsMedicina de l'sport. 2006;151:86-94. 3. Lasheras L, Aznar S, Merino B, Gil E. Factors associated with physical activity among Spanish youth through the National Health Survey. Preventive Medicine. 2001;32:455-64. 4. Ledent M, Cloes M, Piéron M. Les jeunes, leuractivitéphysique et leursperceptions de la santé, de la forme, des capacitésathlétiques et de l'apparence. Sport. 1997;159/160:90-5 CONCLUSIONS It has been showed differences between boys and girls in the practice of physical and sport activities, as well as in other leisure-time activities. A reduced percentage of subjects reported a lack of sport practice, which confirms the importance given to sport in these schools.