Browsing by Subject "Sedentary Behavior"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Open Access
    Barriers to physical activity among high school students in the Maule Region
    (Servicio de Publicaciones. Universidad de Murcia, 2025) Binimelis-Fuentes, Julissa; Estay-Bravo, Fabián; Gallegos-Pizarro, Daniela; Guerrero-Conejera, José; Etchevers-Rivas, Valentina; Merellano-Navarro, Eugenio; Sin departamento asociado
    A pesar del creciente interés científico por la inactividad física, aun no es posible mejorar los indicadores, por lo que se requiere detectar cuáles son las barreras que impiden que los escolares mantengan hábitos saludables. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar las barreras para la práctica de actividad física en escolares de secundaria de la zona centro-sur de Chile. Se trató de un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo-correlacional y de corte transversal. La muestra fue por conveniencia y consistió en 753 estudiantes de secundaria—285 mujeres (37,9%) y 459 hombres (61%)—de colegios públicos y privados de la zona centro-sur de Chile. Se aplicó una batería de cuestionarios que recopila diversos instrumentos validados para esta población, considerando las siguientes áreas: a) datos sociodemográficos; b) actividad física; c) barreras para la práctica de actividad física. El 96,9% de la muestra no cumple con las recomendaciones de la OMS y reportan 334,52 minutos de comportamiento sedentario. En cuanto a las barreras percibidas hacia la actividad física, las mujeres reportaron mayor puntuación en las barreras que los hombres. Los Meets totales poseen una correlación significativa con todas las barreras analizadas, mientras que la edad solo se correlacionó con la barrera de incompatibilidad de tareas (r=0,148, p<0.05). A pesar de que los adolescentes dicen poseer altos o moderados niveles de actividad física, estos no cumplen con la actividad física recomendada. Además, la incompatibilidad de tareas es la mayor barrera percibida por los adolescentes en ambos géneros, mientras que, en las mujeres, se suma la del autoconcepto como una con los valores más altos.
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    Publication
    Open Access
    The effects of technology on health and physical activity: A qualitative study
    (Servicio de Publicaciones. Universidad de Murcia, 2025) Karaçam, Aydın; Çetin. Arif; Orhan, Bekir Erhan; Sin departamento asociado
    The aim of this study was to explore how technological devices influence individuals’ physical activity and overall health, identifying both the positive and negative effects of technology use on well-being. A qualitative design employing semi-structured interviews was used with a convenience sample of 100 participants aged 18–52 years (M ± SD = 26.3 ± 8.5). The sample consisted of 51% females and 49% males. The interviews explored participants’ experiences and perceptions of how technological devices influence physical activity and overall well-being. Data were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed to identify both positive and negative effects. The findings indicated that excessive use of smartphones, computers, and gaming devices contributed to sedentary lifestyles, musculoskeletal discomfort, psychological fatigue, and reduced social interaction. However, participants also reported that technology can support physical activity through fitness apps, wearable devices, and online exercise platforms. Suggested strategies to mitigate adverse effects included regulating screen time, correcting posture, practising mindful technology use, and incorporating breaks for physical movement. Technology has a dual influence on health and physical activity, acting both as a barrier and a facilitator. Striking a balance between use and overuse is essential to ensure positive outcomes. Public health initiatives and educational programs should emphasize responsible technology engagement and encourage strategies that promote active lifestyles.
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    Publication
    Open Access
    The effects of technology on health and physical activity: A qualitative study
    (Servicio de Publicaciones. Universidad de Murcia, 2025) Karaçam, Aydın; Çetin, Arif; Orhan, Bekir Erhan; Sin departamento asociado
    The aim of this study was to explore how technological devices influence individuals’ physical activity and overall health, identifying both the positive and negative effects of technology use on well-being. A qualitative design employing semi-structured interviews was used with a convenience sample of 100 participants aged 18–52 years (M ± SD = 26.3 ± 8.5). The sample consisted of 51% females and 49% males. The interviews explored participants’ experiences and perceptions of how technological devices influence physical activity and overall well-being. Data were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed to identify both positive and negative effects. The findings indicated that excessive use of smartphones, computers, and gaming devices contributed to sedentary lifestyles, musculoskeletal discomfort, psychological fatigue, and reduced social interaction. However, participants also reported that technology can support physical activity through fitness apps, wearable devices, and online exercise platforms. Suggested strategies to mitigate adverse effects included regulating screen time, correcting posture, practising mindful technology use, and incorporating breaks for physical movement. Technology has a dual influence on health and physical activity, acting both as a barrier and a facilitator. Striking a balance between use and overuse is essential to ensure positive outcomes. Public health initiatives and educational programs should emphasize responsible technology engagement and encourage strategies that promote active lifestyles.
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    Open Access
    Unstructured play with active equipment enhances moderate-to vigorous physical activity in children
    (Servicio de Publicaciones. Universidad dde Murcia, 2026) Tram, Nguyen Quoc; Minh, Trinh Thi Thanh; Trung, Nguyen Thanh; Tri, Nguyen Huu; Sin departamento asociado
    This study examined the impact of a daily 25-minute unstructured physical activity (PA) break on the PA levels of children aged 7–9 years. Recess periods provide valuable opportunities to boost PA and counteract sedentary behaviors, especially when active play equipment is available. In this randomized controlled trial, 71 children were allocated to either an experimental group (EG; n=39), which participated in daily 25-minute free play sessions with access to sports equipment, or a control group (CG; n=32) following standard recess protocols. Accelerometer measurements indicated a statistically significant increase (p<0.05) in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) in the EG relative to the CG, aligning with the World Health Organization’s 2020 guidelines on reducing sedentary behavior. These findings suggest that incorporating brief, unstructured PA breaks equipped with active play tools can enhance the effectiveness of school-based PA interventions and promote higher activity levels among children. Future research should explore the long-term benefits of such approaches.