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How physically active, subjectively and objectively, are the children in Cyprus and what’s the role of gender, friends and family?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Konstantinidou,  E.1*, Constantinou, E.1, Avgerinos, A. 2, Kioumourtzoglou, E.1

1Department of Life and Health Sciences, Sports Science, University of Nicosia
2Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace

*Contact Corresponding Author: email

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the behavior of pre-pubertal age school students in pedometer determined physical activity (PA) and in various aspects of PA which recorded with a self-reporting questionnaire. The participants were 84 students (55 boys and 29 girls) of fifth and sixth grade (n = 52 and n = 32 respectively). Their pedometer determined PA was recorded, using pedometers to measure mean steps for four consecutive days (two weekdays and weekend), while the remaining variables of PA with a part of the Greek version of the HBSC questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, crosstabulation and t-test for dependent and independent samples were applied for the statistical analysis. According to the data analysis the pedometer determined PA of children was very low (M=7.699 ± 4.484). At the same time, through self-reports, it was revealed that more than 1/3 of children didn’t participate in moderate PA more than three times per week. The 45.3% reported that they are involved in moderate to vigorous PA from four times per week to every day during their spare time. The pedometer determined PA during weekend was significantly higher than the one of the weekdays (p .05). Finally, it emerged that children play sports with their friends more than once per week (M= 4.10 ± 1.14), while they play with their family less often (M= 2.89 ± 1.37).

 

Keywords: pedometers; physical activity; gender; friends; family. 

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Konstantinidou, E., Constantinou, E., Avgerinos, A. & Kioumourtzoglou, E. "How physically active, subjectively and objectively, are the children in Cyprus and what’s the role of gender, friends and family?," PANR Journal, June 22, 2015, https://www.panr.com.cy/?p=1252.