Level of physical condition and practice of physical activity in adolescent school children

Abstract

The objective of the study was to ascertain the level of physical condition of adolescents and its association with the practice of physical activity, gender and age. A total of 214 Compulsory Secondary Education students aged between 13 and 16 years participated. The instrument used to ascertain the level of weekly physical activity was the Adolescent Physical Activity Measure-MVPA, whereas the different physical tests contained in the ALPHA-Fitness® battery were used for physical condition. The results show that males do more physical activity and have a better physical condition than females. The physical condition of active adolescents is superior to that of sedentary ones. Physical condition evolves according to age. These results underline the need to develop social programmes to promote physical and sports activity in order to improve people’s physical condition and health.