Association between Physical Literacy and Self-Perceived Fitness Level in Children and Adolescents

Assessing physical literacy and establishing normative reference curves for 8-12-year-old children from South Punjab, Pakistan: The PAK-IPPL cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Physical literacy (PL) encompasses an individual's motivation, confidence, physical competence, and knowledge, all of which foster lifelong engagement in physical activities. In developing countries like Pakistan, there is a pressing need to assess PL status using culturally valid tools. This study aims to evaluate PL among children aged 8-12 in South Punjab, Pakistan while developing normative reference curves and exploring factors influencing PL.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,360 students (mean age = 10.00, SD = 1.41 years) from 85 schools, using a culturally adapted and validated version of the CAPL-2 tool. The CAPL-2 scoring system was validated to align with the population and cultural context. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, Chi-squared tests, Pearson's correlation, multivariate logistic regression, and Classification and regression tree methods, were performed to identify factors associated with PL classifications, with significance set at p < 0.05. The Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape were used to create age- and sex-specific PL normative reference curves.

RESULT

The study revealed significant influences of gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and locality on PL. Boys consistently scored higher in PL across all domains compared to girls, with significant differences (p < 0.001) in all but the knowledge and understanding domain (p = 0.160). Boys' PL scores were 6% higher overall, with a 7% and 5% advantage in the daily behavior and physical competence domains, respectively. Children from low SES and rural settings exhibited significantly higher PL scores than their middle/high SES and urban counterparts (p < 0.001). Walking to school was positively correlated with higher PL scores, while children traveling by car had the lowest scores (p < 0.001). Anthropometric differences between genders were noted, further emphasizing the disparities in physical competence. Most participants (71.6%) fell into the "Beginning" or "Progressing" PL categories, with females predominantly in these lower stages.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals that gender, SES, and locality significantly impact PL among children in South Punjab, Pakistan. Boys, lower SES groups, and rural children showed higher PL scores, with everyday activities like walking to school positively contributing to PL development. These findings emphasize the need for targeted, demographically sensitive interventions to enhance PL in the region.

The benefits of physical literacy for human flourishing: A machine learning-based exploration of adolescents

Physical literacy is a multidimensional concept considered fundamental for lifelong participation in physical activity. Although theories on the relationship between physical literacy and human flourishing have been proposed, no comprehensive study of this relationship in adolescents has been found. This study aimed to predict human flourishing variables (physical activity, physical health, mental health, and academic performance) that correlate highly with adolescents' physical literacy. A sample of 1004 primary and middle school students was recruited and six machine learning algorithms (decision tree, random forest, AdaBoost, CatBoost, LightGBM, and k-nearest neighbours) were used. Random forest predicted physical activity, physical health, and mental health in the overall sample, with an accuracy of 53 percent, 86 per cent, and 91.7 percent, respectively; AdaBoost predicted academic performance with an accuracy of 98 per cent. Overall sample and sex subgroup predictions were generally consistent, with "sense of self and self-control" and "self-expression and communication with others" as the most significant variables. Family-type subgroup analysis results varied greatly, suggesting that one-child families should focus on "knowledge and understanding," whereas multi-child families should focus on "self-expression and communication with others." Awareness of adolescents' underlying characteristics may yield greater benefits when intervening through physical literacy.

Predictors of physical activity and public safety perception regarding technology adoption for promoting physical activity in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background

This study aims to identify the predictors of levels of physical activity among the residents of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it seeks to understand the public's safety perception regarding the adoption of technology for promoting physical activity.

Method

This is an analytical cross-sectional study using self-administered web-based survey. A stratified sampling technique was used to select participants from adult population in Jeddah and data collection took place from May 2023 to December 2023. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to identify predictors of low-intensity (walking steps) and high-intensity physical activities.

Result

A total of 462 participated in the study. Gender significantly influenced walking habits, with males more likely to walk than females (AOR = 2.37; 95 % CI: 1.55-3.62; P < 0.001). Smoking status was also a predictor, with smokers more inclined to walk compared to non-smokers (AOR = 2.15; 95 % CI: 1.20-3.82; P = 0.010). High-intensity physical activity strongly correlated with increased walking, especially among those active 3-7 days per week (AOR = 3.03; 95 % CI: 1.91-4.78; P < 0.001). Chronic diseases negatively impacted walking frequency (AOR = 0.57; 95 % CI: 0.34-0.95; P = 0.031). Furthermore, males were likelier to engage in high-intensity activities compared to females (AOR = 1.61; 95 % CI: 1.04-2.50; P = 0.033). Those walking ≥ 10,000 steps weekly were more likely to participate in high-intensity activities (AOR = 3.07; 95 % CI: 1.95-4.82; P < 0.001). Excellent self-rated health was associated with higher participation in such activities (AOR = 2.00; 95 % CI: 1.30-3.06; P = 0.002). Most respondents (84.9 %) felt safe on public walkways, and 78.1 % indicated safety perceptions influenced their walkway use. Technology use was divided, with about half (49.1 %) using apps for tracking physical activity. The majority (90.9 %) supported adding motivational features to the 'Sehhaty' app, and 73.6 % favored financial rewards for walking. However, only 45.5 % believed that public walkways are designed to encourage walking.

Conclusion

The study highlights significant predictors of physical activity among general population in Jeddah. The study also revealed the impact of safety perceptions and technology use on physical activity, with strong support for motivational features in health apps. However, there is a need for improved design of public walkways to encourage walking.

Relationship between perceived physical literacy and obesity-related outcomes in adolescents: the EHDLA study

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between perceived physical literacy and obesity-related outcomes among adolescents from Spain.

Methods

This is a secondary cross-sectional analysis including a total sample of 845 Spanish adolescents (55.3% girls) aged 12-17 years from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia) from the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities (EHDLA) project. Physical literacy was evaluated using the Spanish Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument for adolescents (S-PPLI). Body mass index was computed by taking the participants' body weight in kilograms and dividing it by the square of their height in meters, and body mass index (z score) and overweight/obesity and obesity were computed by the World Health Organization age- and sex-specific thresholds. Waist circumference was measured using a constant tension tape. Moreover, the waist-to-height ratio was calculated, and therefore, abdominal obesity was determined. Skinfold measurements were taken at the triceps and medial calf using calibrated steel calipers.

Results

In general, the overall trend was downward (i.e., the higher the PPLI score the lower the obesity-related indicators), with the approximate significance of smooth terms being statistically significant for all models examined (p < 0.001). Adolescents with lower perceived physical literacy (PPL) showed the highest estimated marginal means of body mass index, body mass index z score, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and skinfold (triceps and calf) and predictive probabilities of having excess weight, obesity, and abdominal obesity, while their counterparts with high PPL had the lowest. In addition, significant differences were observed for all the obesity-related indications between adolescents with low PPL and those with medium PPL (p-adjusted < 0.05 for all indicators), as well as with those with high PPL (p-adjusted < 0.05 for all indicators). Moreover, these significant differences were also shown for most indicators between adolescents with medium PPL and those with high PPL (except for obesity).

Conclusion

Physical literacy could play a crucial role in maintaining more desirable obesity-related outcomes in adolescents. Adolescents with high perceived physical literacy showed lower obesity-related indicators (i.e., body mass index, body mass index z score, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, skinfolds), as well as a lower probability of having excess weight, obesity, and abdominal obesity.

Role of Satisfaction with Life, Sex and Body Mass Index in Physical Literacy of Spanish Children

Physical activity (PL) is essential to achieve good health, prevent cardiovascular diseases, obesity and overweight, as well as to achieve a better quality of life. Therefore, PL could become the tool to increase the practice of physical activity among young people, thus increasing life satisfaction (LS) given its positive relationship with physical activity. A single-measure cross-sectional correlational study was carried out, involving 135 children aged 8-12 years from Extremadura. They were administered the SWLS questionnaire and the Canadian assessment of physical literacy (CAPL-2). Significantly higher levels of PL (p = 0.010) were found in normal-weight children compared to overweight and obese children, due to the physical competence domain score (p < 0.001). PL was directly related to SWLS (p < 0.001), but inversely related to BMI (p = 0.018). The daily physical activity behaviour domain was explained by SWLS (p < 0.001) and sex (p < 0.001). Physical competence was described by SWLS (p < 0.001) and BMI (p = 0.045). Finally, the motivation and confidence domain were only significantly associated with SWLS (p < 0.001). It was concluded that boys and girls of normal weight achieved higher levels of PL and LS than those with overweight and obesity, establishing a negative relationship of PL with BMI and positive with LS.

Effects of cognitive load and different exercise intensities on perceived effort in sedentary university students: a follow up of the Cubo Fitness Test validation

Work and intellectually fatiguing environments can significantly influence the health of individuals, which is strictly bound to motor efficiency. In particular, desk workers and university students may have a sedentary lifestyle and a condition of mental fatigue caused by daily routine, which could impair motor efficiency. The assessment is a starting point for enhancing awareness of the individual's psychophysical condition through the perception of one's body motor efficiency, motivating to move towards improvement. This way, a submaximal test based on perceived exertion was developed (Cubo Fitness Test, CFT) and validated in previous studies. Hence, two further studies were employed to enhance the consistency and accuracy of this instrument in different conditions. The first study investigated the internal responsiveness of CFT, evaluating if mental fatigue could affect motor efficiency. The second study investigated which perceived intensity (weak, moderate, strong, or absolute maximum) could be more reliable for applying the CFT (as previous research focused the investigation only on moderate intensity). In the first investigation, participants assessed two stimuli (mental fatigue induced with a Stroop color-word task and a neutral condition based on the vision of a documentary) lasting 60 min each. The quality of psychophysical recovery (total quality recovery) and the mood state (Italian Mood State questionnaire) were evaluated before the stimuli. After the fatiguing or the neutral task, the mood state was newly assessed, together with the evaluation of the workload's characteristics (Nasa TLX) and the CFT motor efficiency. In the second investigation, participants had to perform CFT twice for each at different intensities of Borg's Scale of perceived exertion. Researchers successfully requested to fill out the NASA TLX questionnaire regarding the perceived workload characteristics of CFT, and the reliability of each intensity was assessed. Results seem to enhance the consistency and the accuracy of the instrument. Indeed, findings evidenced that CFT is not influenced by mental fatigue conditions typical of the intellectual work of desk workers and university students for which this test was specifically conceived. Moreover, moderate and strong perceived intensity are the most adequate conditions to assess motor efficiency in these populations.

Cross-Sectional Association between Perceived Physical Literacy and Mediterranean Dietary Patterns in Adolescents: The EHDLA Study

PURPOSE

The objective of the current study was to analyze the relationship between perceived physical literacy (PPL) and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and its specific components in a sample of Spanish adolescents.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we examined a sample of 845 adolescents (58.1% boys) aged 12-17 years from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia, Spain). PPL was assessed by the Spanish Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument for adolescents (S-PPLI). To assess adherence to the MedDiet, the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in children and adolescents (KIDMED) was applied.

RESULTS

In unadjusted analyses, adolescents with medium or high PPL were more likely to have optimal adherence to the MedDiet (medium PPL: OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.20-2.40, p-adjusted = 0.003; high PPL: OR = 2.90, 95% CI 2.03-4.17, p-adjusted < 0.001). These findings remained significant after adjusting for sex, age, socioeconomic status, body mass index, energy intake, overall sleep duration, physical activity, and sedentary behavior (medium PPL: OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.05-2.19, p-adjusted = 0.003; high PPL: OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.53-3.39, p-adjusted < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

PPL could play a relevant role in the adoption of healthy eating habits among adolescents. Adolescents with low or medium PPL were less likely to report optimal adherence to the MedDiet. Adolescents with high PPL seem to consume more fruits, vegetables, fish, pulses, nuts, and dairies (for breakfast). Conversely, these adolescents tend to skip breakfast less, as well as to consume less commercially baked goods or pastries at this meal.

Analysis of Self-Perceived Physical Fitness of Physical Education Students in Public Schools in Extremadura (Spain)

Adolescence is a stage of crucial physiological and psychological changes within the individual's life cycle, where fitness work is important. With self-perception being crucial in relation to adolescent health and well-being, a positive perception of fitness is directly related to increased practice or higher level of physical activity (PA). Thus, the aims were: (1) to analyze, with the Visual Analogue Fitness Perception Scale for Adolescents (FP VAS A), the self-perceived physical fitness (PF) of high school students, (2) to investigate if there are differences according to sex and school location, and (3) to study the correlations between the items of the FP VAS A with age and body mass index (BMI). For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was designed with a total of 961 participants, 48.8% boys and 51.2% girls in secondary education, where 31.9% studied in rural schools and 68.1% in urban schools. The FP VAS A scale was used to assess self-reported PF. Regarding the results, there were statistically significant differences between sexes (p < 0.001), with boys showing higher scores than girls in all the items of the FP VAS A scale, with the exception of global flexibility. Inverse, mean and significant correlations were established between BMI and self-perceived overall PF (r = -0.202; p < 0.001), cardiorespiratory endurance (r = -0.226; p < 0.001) and movement speed (r = -0.268; p < 0.001). Between age and self-perceived cardiorespiratory endurance (r = -0.138; p < 0.001) an inverse, mean and significant correlation was also observed. In conclusion, boys showed a better self-perception of PF than girls for all physical abilities, with the exception of flexibility. School location was not shown to influence students' self-perceived PF. In addition, most of the self-perceived PF abilities for overall fitness correlated inversely with BMI.

Development of a German Physical Literacy Assessment for Children in the Context of Health Promotion-An Explorative Approach

Addressing physical literacy (PL) has become increasingly relevant to counteract sedentary behaviour in children and youth. We developed an assessment tool to measure and evaluate the promotion of individual PL and its four subdomains: motivation and confidence (the affective dimension), physical competence (physical dimension), knowledge and understanding (cognitive dimension), and participation in physical activity. Within this cross-sectional study, we tested 567 children aged 6−12 years from four primary schools that differed in socioeconomic status (SES). A subsequent exploratory factor analysis conducted to examine the conformity revealed a five-factor structure. The five factors explained 39.8% of the total cumulative variance. Children with a low SES yielded lower scores in all subdomains except participation in physical activity. This effect was most pronounced in motor skills (p < 0.001, r = 0.28). Among the children with a low SES, 16.9% were overweight and 17.4% were obese, compared to 11.5% and 5.4%, respectively, for those with a high SES (p < 0.001). In conclusion, although the assessment tool was largely in line with the postulated structure, further adjustments are necessary in terms of participation and motivation. Nevertheless, this holistic view of PL, taking SES into account, should enable the focused promotion of health and health literacy.

Associations between Self-Perceived and Desired Health-Related Physical Fitness in Spanish Children

Health-related physical fitness (HRPF) has emerged as an important marker of health among children. It is usually defined as a multidimensional construct consisting of cardiorespiratory endurance; muscular strength and endurance; and flexibility. Currently, health policies are aimed at getting children to increase their HRPF levels. Understanding the relationship between the perceived and the desired levels of fitness can be important to avoid the abandoning of physical activity practice. We analyzed the associations between the self-perceived and the desired health-related physical fitness. A modified version of the self-perceived HRPF questionnaire was completed by 330 children (148 girls, mean age: 10.78 ± 0.67 years, and 182 boys, mean age: 10.82 ± 0.61 years). Fitness was measured through tests selected from the Eurofit battery. The questions regarding desired HRPF showed moderate internal consistency (Cronbach’s α: 0.671) and good test–retest reliability (ICC: 0.761). In general, children shared a desire to improve their self-perceived HRPF. Those who perceived themselves as already being fit were the ones who showed the strongest desire for achieving higher HRPF levels.

Out-of-School Sports Participation Is Positively Associated with Physical Literacy, but What about Physical Education? A Cross-Sectional Gender-Stratified Analysis during the COVID-19 Pandemic among High-School Adolescents

Physical literacy (PL) is one of the main concepts related to lifelong physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF), but there is a lack of information on factors that might be associated with PL in adolescents from southeastern Europe. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between PF, participation and achievement in physical education (PE), out-of-school participation in sports, and PL in high school adolescents from Croatia. Participants were 298 high school students aged 14−18 years (191 females). Variables included school age, PE grade, sports participation, anthropometric indices, four PF tests, and PL (evidenced by CAPL-2-knowledge and understanding questionnaire (CAPL-2-KU) and PLAYself questionnaire). Gender-stratified analyses of differences were conducted using the t-test for independent samples or the Mann-Whitney test. Associations between variables were calculated with Pearson’s product moment correlation or Spearman’s rank order correlation. PF was positively correlated CAPL-2-KU in both genders. PE grade was significantly associated with PLAYself score (Pearson’s correlation = 0.36 and 0.38, p < 0.001 for boys and girls, respectively) but not with the CAPL-2-KU score. School age was not correlated with PL among boys, but there was a significant but negligible correlation between CAPL-2-KU and school age in girls (<2% of the common variance). Adolescents involved in sports had better PL and PF compared with adolescents not involved in sports. In conclusion, participation in out-of-school sports offers a good base for developing PL. Although this study took part over the COVID-19 pandemic period when the regular PE curriculum was significantly altered, the poor associations between school age and PL could lead to the assumption that the current PE curriculum does not allow for improvement of PL in later high school age, which warrants further investigation.