Francisco Carreiro da Costa

Sex equity and physical activity levels in coeducational physical education: exploring the potential of modified game forms

Background: Physical education should promote an active and healthy lifestyle with an emphasis on students’ preparation for lifelong physical activity. Healthy People 2010 recommends that physical education is offered on a daily basis and that pupils engage in physical activities of moderate to vigorous intensity (MVPA) during at least 50% of lesson time. Purpose: The present study aimed at investigating the potential of modified game forms to promote sex equity in 13-year-old pupils’ physical activity engagement during coeducational lessons. A second purpose was to compare levels of MVPA between single-sex and coeducational classes with and without ability grouping. Methods: To provide evidence for transfer of results between countries, the study was conducted in Belgium and Portugal. The sample consisted of 221 students out of 12 Belgian and 12 Portuguese classes, including 104 Portuguese and 117 Belgian pupils, of whom 113 were boys and 108 were girls. Two classes were all-girls, two all-boys and eight coeducational. One identical invasion game lesson (korfball) was taught using modified game forms as a core part of the lesson. Variables such as class size and sex composition, court measurements, and the orientation of the physical education teacher were controlled for. Polar Heart Rate Monitors were used to register heart rates in order to measure physical activity levels. Time spent in MVPA was calculated using the following formula: MVPAu2009=u2009(number of heart-rate readings higher than 145 beats per minute x 15 seconds) / 60 seconds. Results: Results showed that the percentage of MVPA was significantly higher among girls (69.9%) when compared to boys (56.8%) and this was the case for all lesson contexts (coeducational and single sex). For pupils participating in the single-sex classes, 55.0% of the heart-rate recordings exceeded the threshold value for MVPA; for coeducational classes with and without ability grouping, percentages were significantly higher with values of 68.1% and 65.5% respectively. Conclusion: It can be concluded that using modified game forms with simplified rules has the potential as a coeducational instrument to produce MVPA levels that correspond with physical activity guidelines in both sexes, independently from lesson context. The findings of this study offer a promising means of, in particular, stimulating girls’ physical activity levels during physical education.

The correlates of meeting physical activity recommendations: A population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify correlated factors which explain the recommended level of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) among Portuguese adults. Subjects aged 31–60 years (972 males, 1195 females) were categorized, based on LTPA data obtained using a questionnaire, into two groups according to the PA recommendation for PA:≥10 or <10 MET·hr·wk−1. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were applied to the results. For men, the perception of an active lifestyle [odds ratio (OR) = 4.61, 95% CI:3.13–6.81, p <0.001], having an excellent perception of health (OR = 3.14, 95% CI:1.28–7.71, p =0.013), perception of being sufficiently active (OR = 2.16, 95% CI:1.53–3.05, p <0.001), and having a high socio-economic status (SES) (OR = 1.86, 95% CI:1.22–2.81, p =0.004) were associated with attaining the recommended level of PA. For women, the perception of an active lifestyle (OR = 3.68, 95% CI:2.63–5.15, p <0.001), and middle SES (OR = 1.50, 95% CI:1.07–2.11, p =0.018) were positive and associated with meeting PA recommendations. Unlike men, women with body mass index (BMI) 25–29.9 kg/m2 were more likely to attain the recommended level of PA than those with BMI <25 kg/m2. The incidence of adults that met the recommended amount of PA is low. Men and women had different patterns of psychological and socio-demographic correlates. An intervention designed to improve the levels of PA among Portuguese adults may take these correlates into account.

Seeking Expert Teachers in Physical Education and Sport

Although the concept of the quality of teaching physical education and sport has not been defined clearly or operationalized, it has been a major and constant preoccupation of educators and teacher trainers. Approximately twenty‐five years ago, a research approach centred on the teaching process focused on the description of how participants were behaving in their natural setting; the physical education class. These descriptions provided interesting information on teaching skills and how to develop them. Several research paradigms advanced the plausible hypothesis that a strong relationship should exist between what teachers think and the way they teach. The interest in teachers’ thinking led to several studies on: (1) teachers’ beliefs and general opinionson their subject matter and on their profession; (2) their decision making processes. These studies focused on different categories of teachers: student teachers, beginners, experienced, specialists in various subjects, and possibly, experts. When refe...

Prevalence of barriers for physical activity in Portuguese adolescents

The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of barriers to physical activity (PA) among adolescents according to gender and practice of PA. A total of 2580 adolescents (1310 boys, 1270 girls) aged ranged between 10 and 18 years old (mean 13±2 y) participated in this study. The data was collected through a questionnaire on PAs participation and barriers to PA. Qui-square tests were performed to analyse the differences between the gender and the practice of PA on perceived barriers. Only 29% of boys and 12% of girls were considered active. The most common barriers to the engagement in PA were the same for boys and girls. Nevertheless there were significant differences between the two genders. The number one barrier was – lack of time (boys 16%, girls 26%, p<0.001), the second was interest in doing another thing (boys 9%, girls 13%, p=0.003), and the third was the perception of not having enough skills (boys 5%, girls 10%, p<0.001). Girls reported higher importance to shame (p=0.004) and to the costs (p=0.001) associated with PA. For the group of active students the main barrier was lack of time (9%) while the less active students cited more often the interest of doing something else (12%) and not having enough skills (9%). Additional relevant differences were observed between active and inactive students on the importance of the barrier, lack of time (p<0.001), not being in shape (p=0.001), the perception of not having enough skills (p<0.001), costs (p=0.002) and interest in doing another thing (p<0.001). All of these reasons were more prevalent for inactive students except physically active students cited more often the lack of time (89% vs 3%, p<0.001). Lack of time is the most cited barrier for boys and girls. In general, perceived barriers for the practice of PA were more prevalent for girls than for boys. The inactive students reported more motives than the active ones.

Perception and reality - Portuguese adults' awareness of active lifestyle.

Abstract This study aims to assess awareness of physical activity levels among adults and to investigate the variables associated with different types of awareness. The participants were 1042 men and 1316 women aged 31–60 years old (43.3 ± 6.1). Data were collected on physical activity behaviour, physical activity awareness, perceptions and psychological factors. Awareness was assessed by comparing self-rated physical activity with achieving physical activity guidelines. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were applied to the results. About 32.4% were considered active. Moreover, 61% accurately reported their physical activity (38.3% realistic inactive and 22.7% realistic active), 29.2% overestimated their physical activity (overestimators) and 9.7% incorrectly described themselves as inactive (underestimators). Perception of an excellent health status (odds ratio, OR = 4.07, 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.07–8.00, p < 0.001) was the strongest positive association with being realistic active, followed by having a high socio-economic status (SES) (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.10–2.12, p < 0.05). Overestimator participants were more likely to have an excellent perception of health (OR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.47–4.52, p < 0.01) and had a good experience in physical education (OR = 1.46, 95% CI:1.03–2.08, p < 0.05). Almost half of these participants erroneously perceived themselves as physically active. Gender, body mass index (BMI) and the quality of physical education at school were associated with those who misperceived their physical activity.

Do students know the physical activity recommendations for health promotion

BACKGROUNDnKnowledge is required for people to make health decisions. It can be conjectured that knowledge of physical activity recommended levels can be a step to behavior change. This study examined the knowledge of physical activity guidelines of adolescents who were completing the secondary school.nnnMETHODSnA survey was conducted with 2718 students (1613 girls), aged 16 to 18 years (Mean = 17.2 ± 0.2 years). Gender and age were self-reported and socioeconomic status was calculated based on parental occupation. Students were asked about frequency, duration, and intensity of physical activity to achieve the recommended level. Chi-square was applied to the results.nnnRESULTSn16.2% reported that physical activity should be practiced daily. For the duration component of the recommendation, 43.5% identified correctly that the minimum recommended is 60 min/day. The intensity component was correctly answered by 62.7%. Considering all the components of the recommendation, only 3.6% of the students were able to identify correctly the physical activity recommendation, with no differences between genders or among socioeconomic status.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThese results highlight the need for an effective communication strategy for disseminating the message to ensure that young people are aware of, and understand the physical activity guidelines.

Technical University of Lisbon and University of Liège

Abstract Since 1989, the Portuguese education system has undergone curricular reform which has introduced deep structural changes to the subject of physical education (PE). PE has become a compulsory and examinable subject within the ‘core curriculum’ of all school years (1 st to 12th grade). National curricular plans for basic and secondary education have also been introduced. This paper provides a view of the political options which have underpinned the present curricular project of PE in Portugal and compares practices in that country with those in Belgium. The analysis first describes the ‘curriculum as text’ before focusing attention on the ‘curriculum as action’. The analysis explores the nature of teachers’, pupils’ and parents’ beliefs, values and attitudes that together mediate the curriculum as text, help define contexts of PE, and influence public and political attitudes towards the subject. The paper points to the importance of both researchers and teachers for the development of effective tea...

Age-group differences in perception of competence, goal orientation, attitudes, and practice of physical activity of girls who attend military schools.

This study analysed the differences in self-perception, goalnorientation and participation in physical activity (PA) in girls (N = 244) attendingnmilitary schools. Girls had moderately higher levels of perceived competence,nand there were no significant differences between age-groups. The figure forntask-orientation was higher than ego-orientation. Girls expressed a positivenattitude toward school and PE. Most girls did not practiced PA outside school,nbut 63,9% were involved in school sports. It seems that the military educationalninstitutions are being successful in helping students to adopt physically activenlifestyles. The development of perception of competence, task-orientation,nand favourable attitudes seem to be important factors to enhance the levels ofnPA among students

Lifestyle perception and physical activity practice

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between perception of lifestyle and the practice of physical activity (PA). A total of 1158 men (44±8 y) and 1560 women (43±8 y), aged 21–90 y participated in this study. The data was assessed by a questionnaire about PA participation with and without supervision. Participants were asked to rate their lifestyle perception and health on a 5-point Likert scale range from 1 (sedentary) to 5 (very active). T-test and Pearsons correlation were used to analyse the data. On average participants reported to practise PA 2.9±3.1 times/week and 183±214 min/week. The high SDs show the wide dispersion of the results in both sexes. No difference was found between men and women regarding the number of times they practiced PA (3.0±3.1 vs 2.9±3.1 times/week, p=0.431). Men reported to practice PA during more time than women (209±235 vs 162±194 min/week) and the difference was significant (p<0.001). Although women indicated to practice PA for less time than men, they had a significant better perception of their lifestyle (men 3.21±1.04, women 3.37±1.03, p<0.001). In both sexes there was a positive and significant correlation between the number of times they practice PA and the perception of lifestyle (r=0.335, p<0.001; r=0.284, p<0.001). The same was observed for the time they expended practicing PA per week and the perception of lifestyle (r=0.353, p<0.001; r=0.290, p<0.001). Looking at the correlation of perception of lifestyle and perception of health it was also found a positive and significant correlation (r=0.317, p<0.001; r=0.242, p<0.001). Although men and women shown no difference regarding the number of times they practice PA, men tend to practice PA longer than women. Women perceive themselves as more active than they really are. It is clear a relationship between PA and perception of lifestyle, however, for men the correlation was slightly stronger than for the women.