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Correlates of two different physical activity recommendations in a German sample of 14–16-year-old boys and girls

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Abstract

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine whether the correlates of physical activity (PA) differed as a function of two different PA recommendations: (1) the Fitness Recommendation, i.e., the improvement of cardiovascular fitness by 3 × 20 min/week of vigorously intense PA and (2) the health-enhancing PA (HEPA) concept such as the emphasis on the important benefits to health and fitness by performing 5 × 60 min/week of moderately intense PA.

Subjects and Methods

A cross-sectional design was used. In a sample of 524 adolescents (50.2% males, mean age = 15.0), we quantified different (demographic/biological, psychological, behavioural) self-reported correlates of PA as well as compliance with the PA recommendations. Sex-specific multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify correlates of fulfiling the two PA recommendations.

Results

Multivariate analyses revealed differences between the correlates and PA-specific Recommendations. For boys, only the Fitness Recommendation was significantly associated with psychosocial variables (self-efficacy and behavioural change strategies) and membership in a sports club. For girls, membership in a sports club was significantly associated with both PA recommendations. However, this association was positive with respect to the Fitness Recommendation and negative with respect to the HEPA Recommendation.

Conclusion

Our results provided some preliminary indication that correlates differ depending on specific recommendations in 14–16-year-old boys and girls. Moreover some variability with regard to sex was observed.

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Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by a grant from the University of Bremen.

Competing Interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 28, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany

    Jens Bucksch

  2. Institute of Sportsociology, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Holger Fuhrmann

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  1. Jens Bucksch
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  2. Holger Fuhrmann
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Correspondence to Jens Bucksch.

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Bucksch, J., Fuhrmann, H. Correlates of two different physical activity recommendations in a German sample of 14–16-year-old boys and girls. J Public Health 18, 413–423 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-010-0319-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-010-0319-9

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