Nivel de actividad física y su relación con la condición física saludable en adolescentes

Abstract

The level of physical practice in Spanish adolescents are still low according to the latest studies. The main implications of this are directly related with their physical fitness and health. For that reason, the aim of this study is to analyze and compare the adolescents’ physical activity practice and its relation with their health related physical fitness levels. The sample was composed of 533 (272 males and 261 females) adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years. A multistage, stratified and random sample was conducted for the collection of data and a descriptive relational design was implemented using the Physical Condition And Health battery (COFISA), consisted of several coordinative and conditional test, and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionaire (IPAQ), to test the subjects habitual physical activity. The results obtained show that physical activity practice is positively related with an increase in the adolescents’ physical fitness levels, being significantly higher in those who practice than those who not practice physical activity (χ²=495,27; p<.005 y χ²=585,32; p<.005). The results confirm that adolescents physical activity levels are firmly related with their coordination and fitness condition, being the coordinative condition an important predictor of physical activity practice. More efficient plans are needed to promote the adolescents’ physical activity as well as paying special attention to the coordination skills throughout the primary and secondary school.