Is School Type Associated with Objectively Measured Physical Activity in 15-Year-Olds?

Abstract

The main aims of this study were: (1) to determine the objectively assessed physical activity (PA) patterns in urban 15-year-old male and female adolescents according to school type and (2) to assess the differences in PA between school days and weekend days. In this cross-sectional study, participants were 187 secondary-school male and female adolescents (61.4% females) attending grammar and vocational schools. Patterns of PA were objectively evaluated using a multi-sensor body monitor for 5 consecutive days. Confounders assessed included biological age, socio-economic status, sum of 4 skinfolds, maximal temperature and the amount of rainfall. Males and females from grammar schools achieved higher total daily energy expenditure (TEE) and active energy expenditure (AEE) compared to their peers from vocational schools (TEE: 50 ± 12 kcal/kg/day vs. 47 ± 12 kcal/kg/day, p = 0.02; AEE: 23 ± 5 kcal/kg/day vs. vocational = 21 ± 6 kcal/kg/day, p = 0.04). No differences in time spent in light (LPA), moderate (MPA) or vigorous (VPA) physical activity were noted between the two groups (p = 0.16–0.43). Next, a significant decline in TEE and MPA between school days and weekends was observed (p< 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively), while VPA remained the same throughout the week (p = 0.76). Weekly patterns of PA did not show differences by school type or gender (p for interactions = 0.21–0.50). In addition, significantly lower amount of MPA was accumulated during weekends compared to school days, resulting in lower TEE, regardless of school type or gender. Policies and strategies on PA in adolescents should focus vocational schools and weekend days.

Agreement between the SHAPES Questionnaire and a Multiple-Sensor Monitor in Assessing Physical Activity of Adolescents Using Categorial Approach: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This study is a part of the CRO-PALS, an observational, longitudinal study designed to investigate the health-related habits and risk behaviour among the adolescents in the city of Zagreb (Croatia) during their 4-year-long high-school education. The sampling procedure and study design have been described thoroughly elsewhere [ 25 , 26 ]. In brief, to select a representative group of urban adolescents, a stratified two-phase random sampling method was applied.…”

“…In line with the PA guidelines for Canadians (2002) and the review of Janssen and LeBlanc (2010) [ 38 , 39 ], activities requiring EE between 4 and 7 METs were classified as MPA whereas activities requiring above 7 METs were categorised as VPA. To determine the average of MPA and VPA daily we multiplied the average school day value by 5 and the average weekend day value by 2 and then divided the score by 7, according to the formula: MPA, VPA = ((MEANschooldays ∗ 5) + (MEANweekend days ∗ 2))/7, as described previously [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Does Sex Dimorphism Exist in Dysfunctional Movement Patterns during the Sensitive Period of Adolescence?

“…This study was performed during the second wave of assessments, and all measurements were taken in 2015, during March, April, and May. Information about the procedures of the CRO-PALS longitudinal study have been documented in previous research [ 26 ]. In brief, using stratified two-stage random sampling procedures (school level and class level), 54 classes in 14 secondary schools were selected to participate in the CRO-PALS study (schools were stratified by type: grammar schools/vocational schools/private schools).…”

Tracking of Physical Activity, Sport Participation, and Sedentary Behaviors over Four Years of High School

“…The current study is part of the Croatian Physical Activity in Adolescence Longitudinal Study (CRO-PALS), an observational, longitudinal study that investigated behaviors of adolescents in the city of Zagreb (Croatia) throughout the four years of high school education. The sample size estimation and selection for the CRO-PALS study has been reported in detail elsewhere [22]. Briefly, a stratified two-stage random sampling procedure was employed to select an adequately large representative sample of urban adolescents.…”