The relation between the practice, quantity of time, and type of preferred physical activity amongst schoolchildren in Colombia

Abstract

 Objective: To compare the specific characteristics of practicing physical activity between sex in six to 12-year-old schoolchildren who go to school in four municipalities in the Sabana Centro Region of Colombia, 2018. Materials and Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative study, which is part of a project on healthy life habits in schoolchildren of the Sabana Centro Region, developed during the school period of 2018. We used convenience sampling and obtained a sample of 598 schoolchildren from grades four through nine: only those who were between the ages of six and 12 and fully answered the conduct in physical activity part of the Healthy Life Habits in Schoolchildren Measurement Tool (Herramienta de Medición de Hábitos de Vida Saludable en Escolares (HM-HVS-ESC)). Results: 93,6% of schoolchildren indicated they frequently practiced physical activity. There are statistically significant differences in the quantity of hours dedicated to physical activity between boys and girls (p=0,026), yet there was no difference when it came to the number of days dedicated to practicing physical activity (p=0,131). Girls preferred doing diverse physical activities (26,7%) and boys preferred practicing sports that require the use of balls (53,08%). Conclusions: The characteristics of physical activity by sex show differences in the time dedicated to practicing it and the preferred type of physical activity, exercise, or sport. The school environment is a crucial scenario to promote the habit of practicing physical activity in schoolchildren and should offer safe spaces, free of barriers and labels, which encourage confidence and the safety of schoolchildren.