Javier Molina-García

Psychosocial and environmental correlates of active commuting for university students

OBJECTIVE To examine psychosocial and environmental correlates of active commuting to university (ACU) and explore its association with overall physical activity among college students. METHODS The sample included 518 students (mean 22.4 years; 59.7% female) from two universities in Valencia, Spain. Weekly estimations of energy expenditure from ACU and total physical activity were obtained. Socio-economic status, self-efficacy, barriers to active transport, access to car and motorbike, access to public transport, walking and cycling facilities and distance to university were assessed. Data were collected April and May of 2009, using a self-administered survey. A structural equation model was used to analyze associations among variables. RESULTS ACU was inversely correlated with access to private motorized transport (car or motorbike). Perception of physical self-efficacy and walking and cycling facilities were positively associated with ACU, while planning/psychosocial barriers were negatively associated. Multivariate modelling explained 19% of variance in ACU. ACU was not related to total daily physical activity. CONCLUSIONS Both psychological and environmental variables were significant correlates of ACU. Present findings provide an empirical basis for interventions to increase active transport among university students.

Adiposidad corporal y bienestar psicológico: efectos de la actividad física en universitarios de Valencia, España

OBJETIVO: Determinar mediante un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales la relacion que existe entre la actividad fisica, la adiposidad corporal, la competencia fisica percibida y tres indicadores del bienestar psicologico en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios espanoles. METODOS: Estudio transversal descriptivo en 639 estudiantes de 18 a 29 anos representativos de las universidades de Valencia, Espana, en el curso 2005-2006. La practica de actividad fisica se evaluo mediante el inventario de conductas de salud en escolares. Se aplicaron las escalas de competencia fisica percibida, autoestima, satisfaccion con la vida y vitalidad subjetiva. La adiposidad corporal se expreso mediante el porcentaje de masa grasa (PMG). Se elaboro un modelo teorico con las seis variables medidas. RESULTADOS: El nivel de actividad fisica de los participantes era moderado, se percibian fisicamente competentes, tenian una alta autoestima, se encontraban satisfechos con su vida y se sentian con alta vitalidad. La actividad fisica se relaciono negativamente con el PMG tanto en los varones como en las mujeres; el PMG se asocio negativamente con la percepcion de competencia fisica; y la competencia fisica percibida se asocio positivamente con la autoestima, la satisfaccion con la vida y la vitalidad subjetiva. El efecto de la practica de actividad fisica sobre la competencia percibida estaba mediado parcialmente por el PMG en los varones; en las mujeres, la practica de actividad fisica se relaciono directamente tanto con el PMG como con la percepcion de competencia, sin la mediacion del PMG. CONCLUSIONES: El aumento de la actividad fisica tiene un gran valor para la salud publica, ya que ademas de contribuir a tener menos grasa corporal, aumenta el bienestar psicologico y mejora la autopercepcion.

Effect of Olympic Weight Category on Performance in the Roundhouse Kick to the Head in Taekwondo

Effect of Olympic Weight Category on Performance in the Roundhouse Kick to the Head in Taekwondo In taekwondo, kick performance is generally measured using impact force and time. This study aimed to analyse performance in the roundhouse kick to the head according to execution distance between and within Olympic weight categories. The participants were 36 male athletes divided into three categories: featherweight (n = 10), welterweight (n = 15) and heavyweight (n = 11). Our results show that taekwondo athletes in all weight categories generate a similar relative impact force. However, the results indicate that weight has a large impact on kick performance, particularly in relation to total response time.

Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being in University Students:

An analysis of psychological well-being (self-esteem and subjective vitality) of 639 Spanish university students was performed, while accounting for the amount of leisure-time physical activity. The Spanish versions of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Subjective Vitality Scale were employed. Participants were divided into four groups (Low, Moderate, High, and Very high) depending on estimation of energy expenditure in leisure-time physical activity. Men and women having higher physical activity rated higher mean subjective vitality; however, differences in self-esteem were observed only in men, specifically between Very high and the other physical activity groups.

Bicycling to university: evaluation of a bicycle-sharing program in Spain

This study examined the change in behavioral stages (e.g. contemplation, action and maintenance) of cycling to university before and after the implementation of a new public bicycle share program (PBSP) and promotion of its use. The study also determined the change in the prevalence, correlates of PBSP use and potential role in the promotion of healthy weight. An 8-month follow-up cross-sectional study (September 2010-April 2011) was carried out among undergraduate students during the first season of implementation of the PBSP in Valencia, Spain. The sample was 173 students (68.2% female) with a mean age of 21.3 years (SD 3.06) who attended a PBSP promotional session. The data were collected by questionnaire. Results indicated a significant increase of 14.6% in the action/maintenance stage of change and showed that 19% of the participants were PBSP users 8 months later. The behavioral stage did not change when students always had access to car/motorbike, lived further than 5 km from the university and had no bicycle stations within 250 m from home. Those most likely to start using PBSP were students who were in the contemplation stage, perceived fewer environmental and safety barriers to active commuting and had one or more stations within 250 m of home. PBSP users expended ∼257 metabolic equivalent·minutes/week bicycling to university, and there was a small reduction in BMI. Findings suggest that PBSPs can be considered as useful promoters of cycling behavior and may contribute to weight control in university students.

Determinants of Leisure-time Physical Activity and Future Intention to Practice in Spanish College Students

Few studies analyze determinants and patterns of physical activity among college students, so it has not been possible to carry out effective interventions to promote this practice. The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between some personal, social, and environmental determinants, practice of physical activity and future intention to practice in a sample of 639 university students (321 men and 318 women), mean age 21.43 years (+/- 2.78). Physical fitness self-perception, physical activity history, and coachs support to practice physical activity have a direct effect on the practice of physical activity and an indirect effect on future intention to practice, both in men and women. The practice of physical activity has also a direct effect on future intention to practice. Likewise, the participation in sport competitions predicts practice of physical activity and future intention in men, whereas being a member of a sports club predicts practice and future intention in women.

Effects of target distance on select biomechanical parameters in taekwondo roundhouse kick

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of target distance on temporal and impact force parameters that are important performance factors in taekwondo kicks. Forty-nine taekwondo athletes (age = 24.5 ± 5.9 years; mass = 79.9 ± 10.8 kg) were recruited: 13 male experts, 21 male novices, 8 female experts, and 6 female novices. Impact force, reaction time, and execution time were computed. Three-way repeated measure ANOVAs revealed significant ‘distance’ effect on impact force, reaction time, and execution time (p = 0.001). Comparisons between distance conditions revealed that taekwondo athletes kicked with higher impact force from short distance (17.6 ± 7.5 N/kg) than from long distance (13.1 ± 5.7 N/kg) (p < 0.001), had lower reaction time from short distance (498 ± 90 ms) and normal distance (521 ± 111 ms) than from long distance (602 ± 121 ms) (p < 0.001), and had lower execution time from short distance (261 ± 69 ms/m) than from normal distance (306 ± 105 ms/m) or from long distance (350 ± 106 ms/m) (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, target distance affected the kick performance; as distance increases, impact force decreased and reaction time increased. Therefore, when reaction to a simple visual stimulus is needed, kicking from a long distance is not recommended, as longer time is required to respond.

Changes in Physical Activity Domains During the Transition Out of High School: Psychosocial and Environmental Correlates.

BACKGROUND This study examined changes in multiple physical activity domains during the transition out of high school and psychosocial and environmental determinants of these changes. METHODS A 1-year prospective study was designed. The baseline sample was composed of 244 last-year high school students (58.6% female) from Valencia, Spain. Follow-up rate was 46%. Physical activity and potential determinants were measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and other evaluated scales in 2 waves. RESULTS Total physical activity and active commuting (AC) decreased, respectively, by 21% and 36%, only in males. At time 1, access to car/motorbike (inverse), planning/psychosocial barriers (inverse), street connectivity (positive) and parental education (inverse) were significantly associated with AC (P < .05). Prospectively, the increase in distance to school/workplace was associated with AC decrease among males (P < .001). In both genders, there was a decrease in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA; -35% in males, -43% in females). At time 1, self-efficacy and social support were positive correlates of LTPA (P < .05). Social support decreases were associated with reductions in LTPA for males (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Several psychosocial and environmental correlates of physical activity change were identified, and these are promising targets for interventions.

The Impact of Mandatory Helmet-Use Legislation on the Frequency of Cycling to School and Helmet Use Among Adolescents.

BACKGROUND This paper analyzes changes in the frequency of cycling to school and helmet wearing after the introduction of a mandatory helmet law, and attempts to identify factors associated with the acceptance of helmet use. METHODS A mixed-method study was designed with a 7-month follow-up period (April 2014 to November 2014). The initial sample included 262 students (aged 12 to 16 years) from Valencia, Spain. The data were collected by questionnaire and 2 focus-group interviews were conducted. RESULTS No significant changes in cycling-to- school behavior were found during the study period. Cycle helmet use improved, especially among boys, those who used their own bike, and among adolescents who lived within 2 km of school (P < .05 in all cases). The most common reasons given for not using a helmet were social factors. Peer-group pressure had a negative influence on helmet use among adolescents. Participants also indicated that helmet use is inconvenient, in particular among students who used the public bicycle-sharing program. CONCLUSION The implementation of the helmet-use law did not have a negative impact on the frequency of cycling to school. Our findings provide an empirical basis for designing educational interventions and programs to increase helmet use among adolescents.

Barreras percibidas en el desplazamiento activo al centro educativo: fiabilidad y validez de una escala

OBJECTIVE To examine the reliability and validity of a scale to measure perceived barriers to active commuting to school among Spanish young people. METHOD The validity of the scale was assessed in a sample of 465 adolescents (14-18 years) using a confirmatory factor analysis and studying its association with self-reported active commuting to school. The reliability of the instrument was evaluated in a sub-sample that completed the scale twice separated by a one-week interval. RESULTS The results showed that the barriers scale had satisfactory fit indices, and two factors were determined. The first included environment- and safety-related items (α=0.72), while the other concerned planning and psychosocial items (α=0.64). Active commuting to school showed significant correlations with the total score of the barriers scale (rho=-0.27; p <0.001), with the environmental/safety barriers (rho=-0.22; p <0.001), as well as with the planning/psychosocial barriers (rho=-0.29; p <0.001). Test-retest ICCs for the barriers ranged from 0.68 to 0.77. CONCLUSION The developed scale has acceptable validity and good reliability to assess barriers to active commuting to school among Spanish young people.