Longitudinal study on leisure time behaviors and physical and sports activity level in students from Costa Rica, Mexico, and Spain

Abstract

The objective was to estimate the number of active and inactive individuals (those who have abandoned or have never carried out leisuretime physical activity); and to determine if their physical and sport activity, in terms of duration, frequency, intensity, and participation in competitions (physical and sport activity level), is sufficient to achieve health benefits and therefore, if it meets the established recommendations. Differentiating profiles are established based on the following variables: Gender, country, and data collection. A longitudinal study was performed with three data collection sessions. In the first one, we included a sample of 2,168 students aged 11 to 16 years and enrolled in first grade of Compulsory Secondary Education in Costa Rica (423), Mexico (408) and Spain (1,337). In the second, 1,694 students (aged 13 to 18 years) in third grade of Compulsory Secondary Education from Costa Rica (386), Mexico (382), and Spain (926) were selected. In the third, we evaluated 1,613 students from first Post- Secondary Education courses in Costa Rica (371), Mexico (364), and Spain (878), aged between 15 and 20 years. A questionnaire was applied to measure leisure-time physical and sport activity. Results indicate that boys are more active than girls in all countries. Just the opposite happens with drop-out, as the highest percentages are found in girls. The most active students are Spanish, followed by Costa Ricans. Over time, an increase in leisure-time physical and sport practice drop-out has been found. Vigorous level is very low in the three countries as well as in the three measurement sessions, always being higher in boys than in girls. Boys always present higher percentages than girls also in moderate activity. On the other hand, girls always have higher percentages of insufficient physical and sport activity level than boys. There has been found a predominance of sedentarism, light and moderate activity. Data show concerning results with regard to health benefits achieved, regardless of the country, gender, or measurement session. In fact, most physical and sport practice levels reached by the samples do not generate health benefits, this issue being consistent over time.