Acta Univ. Palacki. Olomuc., Gymn. 2011 41(3): 39-45 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2011.019

School and weekend physical activity of 15-16 year-old Czech, Slovak and Polish adolescents

Petra Nováková Lokvencová1, Karel Frömel1, František Chmelík1, Dorota Groffik2, Viera Bebčáková3
1 Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University, Olomouc
2 Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice
3 Faculty of Sports, University of Presov, Presov

Background: When it comes to physical activity, adolescents are the group at the highest risk. When monitoring physical activity in adolescents, it is necessary to differentiate school and weekend days. School days are crucial in adolescents' weekly physical activity.

Objective: The aim of the study is to identify to what extent the school day and weekend physical activity levels differ in Czech, Polish and Slovakian boys and girls with different cultural and education backgrounds in Central Europe.

Methods: The research was carried out in the Czech Republic in Moravia (11 schools, 383 participants), in Poland in the Katowice region (11 schools, 327 participants) and in Slovakia in the Prešov region (8 schools, 252 participants). In total, 421 boys and 541 girls participated in the study. Participants wore YAMAX pedometers for seven days and recorded measured values onto a record sheet and into the internet Indares system. The results were processed using repeated ANOVA analyses and contingent charts.

Results: Czech, Polish, and Slovak boys and girls showed a significantly higher number of steps on school days than on weekend days. No difference between boys and girls was found on any day of the week in any of the states. The lowest number of steps was found, both in girls and boys, on Sundays. The highest number of daily steps was measured in Czech boys (n = 14015 steps * day-1), Polish girls (n = 12074 steps * day-1) and Slovakian girls (n = 12040 steps * day-1) on Fridays.

Conclusions: Boys and girls in all three states were more physically active on school days than on weekend days. Wearing pedometers eliminated the differences between weekly physical activity in boys and girls in the Czech Republic, Poland and in Slovakia. Under Central European conditions, it was proven that wearing pedometers positively influences physical activity in girls.

Keywords: pedometer, steps, secondary school, online data collection

Prepublished online: January 1, 2012; Published: June 1, 2011  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Nováková Lokvencová, P., Frömel, K., Chmelík, F., Groffik, D., & Bebčáková, V. (2011). School and weekend physical activity of 15-16 year-old Czech, Slovak and Polish adolescents. Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica, 41(3), 39-45. doi: 10.5507/ag.2011.019
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Aires, L., Santos, R., Silva, P., Santos, P., Oliveira, J., Ribeiro, J. C., Rego, C., & Mota, J. (2007). Daily differences in patterns of physical activity among overweight/obese children engaged in a physical activity program. American Journal of Human Biology, 9(6), 871-877. Go to original source...
    2. Armstrong, N., Balding, J., Gentle, P., & Kirby, B. (1990). Patterns of physical activity among 11 to 16 year old British children. British Medical Journal, 301(6745), 203-205. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    3. Brodersen, N. H., Steptoe, A., Boniface, D. R., & Wardle, J. (2007). Trends in physical activity and se dentary behavior in adolescence: Ethnic a socioeconomic differences. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 4(3), 140-144. Go to original source...
    4. Bravata, D. M., Smith-Spangler, C., Sundaram, V., Gien ger, A. L., Lin, N., Lewis, R., Stave, C. D., Olkin, I., & Sirard, J. R. (2007). Using pedometers to increase physical activity and improve health. JAMA, 298(19), 2296-2304. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP). (2008). Youth risk behavior surveillance - United States, 2007. Surveillance Summaries. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 57(4), 1-36.
    6. Chmelík, F., Frömel, K., Křen, F., Stelzer, J., Enge lová, L., Kudláček, M., & Mitáš, J. (2008). The verification of the usability of the online Indares.com system in collecting data on physical activity: Pilot study. Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica, 38(4), 59-66.
    7. Cooper, A. R., Andersen, L. B., Wedderkopp, N., Page, A. S., & Froberg, K. (2005). Physical activity levels of children who walk, cycle, or are driven to school. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 29(3), 179-184. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    8. Cull, A. et al. (2002). EORTC Quality of Life Group. Brus sels: EORTC Quality of Life Unit.
    9. Daniels, S. R., Arnett, D. K., Eckel, R. H., Gidding, S. S., Hayman, L. L., Kumanyika, S., Robinson, T. N., Scott, B. J., Jeor, S. S., & Williams, C. L. (2005). Overweight in children and adolescents: Pat hophysiology, consequences, prevention, and treatment. Circulation, 111, 1999-2012. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    10. Duncan, E., Duncan, J. S., & Schofield, G. (2008). Pe do meter determined physical activity and active transport in girls. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 5(2), 1-9. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    11. Frömel, K., Novosad, J., & Svozil, Z. (1999). Pohybová aktivita a sportovní zájmy mládeže. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci.
    12. Fussenegger, D., Pietrobelli, A., & Widhalm, K. (2008). Childhood obesity: Political developments in Europe and related perspectives for future action on prevention. Obesity reviews, 9(1), 76-85. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    13. Gavarry, O., Giacomoni, M., Bernard, T., Seymat, M., & Falgairette, G. (2003). Habitual physical activity in children and adolescents during school and free days. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 35(3), 525-531. Go to original source...
    14. Havelková, M., Kachlík, P., & Raus, M. (2006). Ži vot ní styl žáků ZŠ. In Příspěvek na 2. kon ferenci, ,Škola a zdraví 21" (pp. 1-15). Retrieved 9. 1. 2011 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ped.muni.cz/z21/2006/konference_2006/sbornik_2006/pdf/015.pdf
    15. Kang, M., Marshall, S. J., Barreira, T. V., & Lee, J.-O. (2009). Effect of pedometer based physical activity interventions: A meta-analysis. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 80(3), 648-655. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    16. Křen, F., Chmelík, F., Frömel, K., Fical, P., Fical, J., Kudláček, M., & Mitáš, J. (2007). Indares.com - online systém [Computer software]. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého.
    17. Kunešová, M. (2006). Životní styl a obezita v České republice - hlavní zjištění studie. Tisková konference "Životní styl a obezita v České republice" Praha, 5. dub na 2006. Retrieved 10. 12. 2010 from the World Wide Web: http://www.stemmark.cz/download/press_release_obezita_Kunesova.pdf
    18. Lubans, D. R., Morgan, P. J., & Tudor-Locke, C. (2009). A systematic review of studies using pedometers to promote physical activity among youth. Preventive Me dicine, 48(4), 307-315. Go to original source...
    19. Meriwether, R. A., Lobelo, F., & Pate, R. R. (2008). Cli nical interventions to promote physical activity in youth. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 2(7), 7-25. Go to original source...
    20. Mota, J., Santos, P., Guerra, S., Ribeiro, J. C., & Duarte, J. A. (2003). Patterns of daily physical ac tivity during school days in children and adolescents. American Journal of Human Biology, 15(4), 547-553. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    21. Nader, P. R., Bradley, R. H., Houts, R. M., McRit chie, S. L., & O'Brien, M. (2008). Moderate to vi go rous physical activity from ages 9 to 15 years. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 300(3), 295-305. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    22. Nelson, M. C., Neumark-Stzainer, D., Hannan, P. J., Sirard, J., R., & Story, M. (2006). Longitudinal and se cular trends in physical activity and sedentary be havior during adolescence. Pediatrics, 118(6), 1627-1634. Go to original source...
    23. Pate, R. R., Davis, M. G., Robinson, T. N., Stone, E. J., McKenzie, T. L., & Young, J. C. (2006). Promoting physical activity in children and youth: A leadership role for schools. Circulation, 114(11), 1202-1213. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    24. Riddoch, C. J., Andersen, L. B., Wedderkopp, N., Harro, M., Klasson-Heggebo, L., Sardinha, L. B., Cooper, A. R., & Ekelund, U. (2004). Physical ac tivity levels and patterns of 9 and 15 year old Euro pean children. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 36(1), 86-92. Go to original source...
    25. Rowlands, A. V., Pilgrim, E. L., & Eston, R. G. (2008). Patterns of habitual activity across weekdays and weekend days in 9-11 year old children. Preventive Medicine, 46(4), 317-324. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    26. Sallis, J. F., Prochaska, J. J., & Taylor, W. C. (2000). A review of correlates of physical activity of children and adolescents. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exer cise, 32(5), 963-975. Go to original source...
    27. Sigmund, E., Frömel, K., Sigmundová, D., & Sallis, J. F. (2003). Role školní tělesné výchovy a organizované pohybové aktivity v týdenní pohybové aktivitě adolescentů. Tělesná výchova a sport, 13(4), 6-9.
    28. Sigmund, E., De Ste Croix, M., Miklánková, L., & Frömel, K. (2007). Physical activity patterns of kinder garten children in comparison to teenagers and young adults. European Journal of Public Health, 17(6), 646-651. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    29. Sigmund, E., Mitáš, J., Vašíčková, J., Sigmundová, D., Chme lík, F., Frömel, K., Horák, S., Nykodým, J., Šebrle, Z., Řepka, E., Feltlová, D., Suchomel, A., Mičan, O., Fojtík, I., Klobouk, T., Lukavská, M., & Bláha, L. (2008). Bisociální proměnné pohybové aktivity dospělých obyvatel vybraných metropolí České republiky. Česká kinantropologie, 12(4), 9-20.
    30. Skalik. K., Frömel, K., Sigmund, E., Vašendová, J., & Wirdheim, E. (2001). Weekly physical activity in secondary school students (a comparative probe into Czech, Polish and Swedish conditions). Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica, 31(1), 21-26.
    31. Strong, W. B., Malina, R. M., Blimkie, C. J. R., Daniels, S. R., Dishmann, R. K., Gutin, B., Hergenroeder, A. C., Must, A., Nixon, P. A., Pivarnik, J. M., Rowlands, T., Trost, S., & Trudeau, F. (2005). Evidence based physical activity for school age youth. The Jour nal of Pediatrics, 146(6), 732-737. Go to original source...
    32. Treuth, M. S., Catellier, D. J., Schmitz, K. H., Pate, R. R., Elder, J. P., McMurray, R. G., Blew, R. M., Yang, S., & Webber, L. (2007). Weekend and weekday patterns of physical activity in overweight and normal-weight adolescent girls. Obesity, 15(7), 1782-1788. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    33. Tudor-Locke, C., Ainsworth, B. E., & Popkin, B. M. (2001). Active commuting to school. An overlooked source of children's physical activity? Sports Medicine, 31(5), 309-313. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    34. Tudor-Locke, C. E., & Bassett, D. R. Jr. (2004). How many steps/day are enough? Preliminary pedometer indices for public health. Sports Medicine, 34(1), 1-8. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    35. Tudor-Locke, C., McClain, J. J., Hart, T. L., Sisson, S. B., & Washington, T. L. (2009). Expected values for pedometer determined physical activity in youth. Research Quarterly for exercise and sport, 80(2), 164-174. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    36. Tudor-Locke, C., Craig. C. L., Beets, M. W., Belton, S., Cardon, G. M., Duncan, S., Hatano, Y., Lubans, D. R., Olds, T. S., Raustorp, A., Rowe, D. A., Spence, J. C., Tanaka, S., & Blair, S. N. (2011). How many steps/day are enough? For children and adolescents. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 8(78), 1-14. Go to original source...
    37. United States Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS). (2008). Physical activity guidelines for Americans. Washington, DC: US Government Prin ting Office.
    38. Verstraete, S. J. M., Cardon, G. M., De Clercq, D. L. R., & De Bourdeaudhuij, I. M. M. (2006). Increasing childrenʼs physical activity levels during recess periods in elementary schools: The effects of providing game equipment. European Journal of Public Health, 16(4), 415-119. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    39. Vignerová, J., Humeníková, L., Brabec, M., Riedlová, J., & Bláha, P. (2007). Long term changes in body weight, BMI and adiposity rebound among children and adolescents in the Czech Republic. Economics and Human Biology, 5(3), 409-425. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content