Version 1
: Received: 29 January 2024 / Approved: 31 January 2024 / Online: 31 January 2024 (14:07:25 CET)
How to cite:
Ma, H.; Li, X.; Ma, C.; Teng, D. Physical Activity Level and Influencing Factors in Junior High School Students in China: A Cross‐ Sectional Study. Preprints2024, 2024012229. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.2229.v1
Ma, H.; Li, X.; Ma, C.; Teng, D. Physical Activity Level and Influencing Factors in Junior High School Students in China: A Cross‐ Sectional Study. Preprints 2024, 2024012229. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.2229.v1
Ma, H.; Li, X.; Ma, C.; Teng, D. Physical Activity Level and Influencing Factors in Junior High School Students in China: A Cross‐ Sectional Study. Preprints2024, 2024012229. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.2229.v1
APA Style
Ma, H., Li, X., Ma, C., & Teng, D. (2024). Physical Activity Level and Influencing Factors in Junior High School Students in China: A Cross‐ Sectional Study. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.2229.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Ma, H., Chengliang Ma and Da Teng. 2024 "Physical Activity Level and Influencing Factors in Junior High School Students in China: A Cross‐ Sectional Study" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.2229.v1
Abstract
Purposes: Engaging 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 analyze the main affecting factors from a socio-ecological perspective.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 650 junior high school students from 7 schools in Taiyuan, and 648 valid questionnaires were collected. Physical activity levels were assessed using the Children’s Leisure Activities Study Survey Questionnaire. Factors influencing physical activity were evaluated through the Student Perceived Factors Affecting Physical Activity Questionnaire.
Results: In this study, students from the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades participated in physical activities, averaging 214.5 minutes per week in moderate-intensity and 25 minutes in high-intensity activities, cumulatively averaging 280 minutes weekly. Notably, a significant disparity (p<0.05) 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 minutes). This variance extended across different grades, particularly evident in 8th graders who recorded the highest weekly high-intensity activity duration (31.000 minutes) and overall physical activity time (320.500 minutes), surpassing the 7th graders. 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.
Conclusion: This study emphasizes the necessity for educational institutions and community programmes to provide engaging physical activities, especially during weekends. It highlights the importance of tailoring physical education curricula to address gender and grade differences and investing in quality sports equipment and facilities by schools and local governments.
Keywords
physical activity level; energy consumption; influencing factors; junior high school students; China
Subject
Public Health and Healthcare, Public, Environmental and Occupational Health
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
