Application of the socioecological model to identify variables associated with physical activity and predictors of the academic record in adolescents

Martí Xavier Bennàsser Torrandell

Regular practice of physical activity (PA) and adequate academic performance (AR) during adolescence are factors that have been favorably associated with different indicators of physical, psychological/social and cognitive health. In addition, the academic record (EA), as one of the main indicators of RA, is of great relevance for the future training of adolescents. Knowing which factors can be associated with the practice of PA and can predict the EA of adolescents, is of great interest to be able to design effective interventions to promote PA and improve AR. Both FA practice and Adolescent AR are influenced by a complex interaction of different factors. The aim of the thesis is to apply a multifactorial model to identify variables associated with AF and predictors of AD in adolescents.

The study sample included 2399 people between 10 and 16 years of age, of which 1224 were herons (51%) and 1175 were herons (49%). In coordination with different educational centers, a questionnaire was applied on sports practice habits in young people. In order to estimate the Maximum Volume of Oxygen (VO2max.), the Course Navette test was administered, and the EA was facilitated by the educational centers themselves. The comparison of categorical variables was performed through the chi-square test and the t-student test. Bivariate correlations were developed for the comparison of continuous variables. The study of the relationship between the different variables was done through a logistic regression analysis. To analyze the association between continuous variables, Pearson correlation analyzes were performed. To examine predictors of youth EA, multiple linear regression analysis was performed. The main results of the study indicate that adolescents who live in environments that facilitate PA, who have parents who encourage and help them to play sports, and who are active during school breaks, perform more hours of PA during the week , and get better EAs. Greater weekly AF practice correlates with higher VO2max levels, and with lower weekly Screen Time (TP).

Likewise, performing more hours of PA per week, healthier values ​​of Cardiovascular Fitness (CA) and Body Mass Index (BMI), and a lower TP during the week correlate with better EA in teenagers Younger ages, being a runner, higher VO2max, lower TP during the week, being active during recreation, living in housing that facilitates PA, having parents who encourage and help them do sports, and a training higher academic performance of the parents, are predictor variables of a better EA in adolescents.