[Measurement by accelerometry of physical activity levels in a sample of Spanish adolescents].

OBJECTIVES

To establish the relationship between the level of physical activity (PA) and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max.); and to analyze the level of PA and its relationship with sex, place of residence, influence of physical education (PE) classes in PA, and body mass index (BMI) in adolescents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

89 subjects from the province of Salamanca (Spain), aged 12 to 16 (14±1.18 years), participated in the study; 55.1% (n=49) of the sample were men and 44.9% (n=40) women. The instruments used were: Actigraph GT3X accelerometer, Course Navette Test and Tanita Body Composition Analyzer MC780MA. Information on sex and place of residence was also collected.

RESULTS

Only 18% of the individuals met the minimum PA recommendations set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Males and subjects from urban areas performed greater amounts of physical activity. Subjects with lower BMI and of the male sex had better levels of VO2max. PE classes did not contribute substantially to the total weekly amount of PA.

CONCLUSIONS

These results can be considered relevant to develop specific programs that promote PA and prevent overweight and obesity in adolescents, making emphasis on the female population, people from rural areas and those with higher BMI.