Vicente J. Beltrán-Carrillo

When Physical Activity Participation Promotes Inactivity Negative Experiences of Spanish Adolescents in Physical Education and Sport

This article analyses negative experiences in physical education and sport reported during qualitative interviews of a group of inactive adolescent Spanish boys and girls. The purpose of this analysis is twofold. First and most important, it seeks to give voice to these young people reporting negative experiences and connect them to contexts of physical activity and sport in which they occurred in order to show how, ironically, inactivity is an unintended consequence. Second, the authors attempt to connect inactivity through negative experiences by drawing on conceptual notions of a gendered performativity culture, and symbolic violence. The authors conclude by commenting on how these insights may be useful to critically reflect on physical activity programs, which are too often considered an unquestionable good for all pupils who experience them.

Promotion of autonomy for participation in physical activity: a study based on the trans-contextual model of motivation

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of a school-based intervention to promote physical activity, utilising the postulates of the trans-contextual model of motivation. The study examined two separate classes of elementary school students (mean age 11.28 years), one of which served as the control group (n = 26) and the other as the experimental group (n = 21). The intervention in the experimental group consisted of showing videos related to physical activity participation, conducting discussions and doing tasks related to the content presented in the videos and conducting family discussions. Autonomy support from teachers, peers and parents; motivation in physical education and leisure time physical activity; the different variables of theory of planned behaviour; and physical activity, were measured before and after the intervention. Results showed an increase in teacher autonomy support, identified regulation in physical education, autonomy support from parents and peers, integrated and identified regulation in leisure time physical activity, control, subjective norm, intention and physical activity in the experimental group. Furthermore, this increase resulted in post-intervention differences across groups in such variables. Results are discussed in relation to the important role of families in the promotion of physical activity participation.

A school-based motivational intervention to promote physical activity from a self-determination theory perspective

ABSTRACT The authors analyzed the effects of a multidimensional intervention to promote physical activity (PA) in school, based on self-determination theory. The study involved 88 students, between 14 and 17 years old, who were divided into a control group (n = 59) and an experimental group (n = 29). In the experimental group, a 6-month intervention was conducted, applying a teaching unit of fitness and health in physical education (PE) classes, an extracurricular program of healthy PA, and meetings with families. Questionnaires were administered to measure different motivational variables and PA levels at four time points. Significant differences were found in favor of the experimental group in parental and peer autonomy support; integrated regulation in PE; autonomy, intrinsic, and identified regulation in leisure-time PA; moderate, hard, and very hard PA; and physical self-worth. Motivational effects were maintained over time but the effects on PA levels disappeared at 6 months.

Are active video games associated with less screen media or conventional physical activity

This study analyzed the time adolescents spend on active video games, sedentary screen media, and conventional physical activity as well as the interrelationships between these variables. Data were collected from 570 Spanish adolescents (15–16 years old) who completed a self-report questionnaire. A path analysis was carried out to analyze the relationships among the different variables. Time in television, video games, and physical activity were higher in males than in females. The use of television and video games positively predicted the use of active video games, which positively predicted physical activity participation. The findings of this study show that sedentary screen media and physical activity are behaviors that can coexist. The promotion of active video games as part of general strategies for the promotion of physical activity could be desirable, but it is likely to contribute to physical activity levels in only a small way. This article finishes with some recommendations related to the use of active/inactive screen media and the promotion of physical activity.

The influence of body discourses on adolescents’ (non)participation in physical activity

ABSTRACT Drawing on semi-structured interviews with older adolescents, this article examines how healthism, ideal body discourses and performative body discourses influence their (non)participation in physical activity (PA) and their identity construction concerning exercise, sport and physical education. We illustrate that body transformation through PA, and related slim body desire and the fear of masculinised female bodies, affect adolescents’ decisions to engage in or drop out of sport. Also, a non-hegemonic body shape combined with a display of low physical competence triggers classmate and teachers’ rejection and marginalisation, affecting adolescents’ construction of embodied identities and preventing them from being active. Finally, adolescents who are competent in sport are less influenced by ideal body discourses than by performative body discourses. We highlight the health promotion effects of these hegemonic discourses and suggest strategies to challenge them.

The impact of living with morbid obesity on psychological need frustration: A study with bariatric patients

Guided by self-determination theory, the purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the previous experiences of living with morbid obesity of 10 postbariatric patients enrolled in a physical activity programme. Qualitative data were collected through interviews and diarized observations. A thematic analysis revealed that participants suffered from health and mobility troubles in their daily life and experienced stigmatization and discrimination in most areas of their social functioning. Participants described how these experiences resulted in the thwarting of their basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness. In turn, psychological need frustration contributed to negative consequences such as body image concerns, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression; controlled regulation of their eating behaviour and extrinsic goals; rigid behaviours such as avoiding social situations; and compensatory and self-defeating behaviours such as giving up diet and physical activity regimens and binge eating (i.e., oppositional defiance). This study highlights how living with morbid obesity can impair optimal functioning and well-being via experiences of psychological need frustration.

Validity of the “Samsung Health” application to measure steps: A study with two different samsung smartphones

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of a highly popular pedometer application (Samsung Health). Sixteen adults (28.8 ± 8.9 years of age) wore two Samsung smartphone models, Samsung Galaxy Core Prime (SGCP) and Samsung Galaxy S4 (SGS4), at three body locations (waist, arm, and hand) while walking and running over a 50-m test. All trials were recorded using a video as a gold standard measure of step counts. Results indicated that the validity of Samsung Health varied depending on the smartphone model, its body location, and the type of gait (walking and running). Samsung Health showed acceptable validity when the SGCP was located on the hand (Bias = −8.3%; RMSE = 5.6), and especially on the arm (Bias = −7.2%; RMSE = 4.9) while running, and when the SGS4 was located on the arm (Bias = −7.5%; RMSE = 5.4), and especially on the waist (Bias = 5.4%; RMSE = 3.7) while walking. Samsung Health only showed good validity when the SGS4 was located on the arm (Bias = 2.9%; RMSE = 3.6), and especially on the hand (Bias = 0.5%; RMSE = 2.5) while running. This application showed unacceptable validity in the remaining options.

Effects of a physical activity program on post-bariatric patients: A qualitative study from a self-determination theory perspective:

This study provides an in-depth analysis of the psychosocial benefits that 10 post-bariatric patients (nine female, 31–59 years) perceived from their participation in an exercise program grounded in self-determination theory. Qualitative data were collected through observations and interviews. Participants reported many factors which facilitated basic psychological need satisfaction such as the instructors caring about their opinion, affection, fitness improvement, pain reduction, and knowledge acquisition. These factors were associated with autonomous motivation, enjoyment, intention to be physically active, happiness, and self-confidence. The results suggest that self-determination theory-based exercise programs could be designed to achieve positive outcomes in this population.

Uso de un blog docente para el desarrollo del pensamiento crítico y la capacidad de expresión oral y escrita en ciencias del deporte

El proyecto de innovacion docente que se describe en este documento se desarrollo en la asignatura de Teoria de la Educacion Fisica y el Deporte, perteneciente al Grado en Ciencias de la Actividad Fisica y el Deporte de la Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche. El proyecto consistio en el uso de un blog docente para el desarrollo del pensamiento critico y la capacidad de expresion oral y escrita. La participacion en el blog estaba vinculada a un trabajo opcional con el que los estudiantes podian incrementar la nota final de la asignatura. Los alumnos realizaron comentarios orales (videos de YouTube) o escritos a las entradas propuestas por el profesor, sobre temas de actualidad relacionados con la actividad fisica y el deporte. Al finalizar la asignatura, el profesor envio un formulario de Google a los alumnos para conocer su opinion sobre este proyecto de innovacion. La opinion de los alumnos sobre la utilidad del blog como recurso docente fue positiva. Palabras clave: Blog, entrada, comentario, video, evaluador, premio.