Arumi-Prat I, Cirera-Viñolas E, McKenna J, Puig-Ribera A
Sport and Physical Activity Research Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Life Sciences and Health in Central Catalonia, Department of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education, Translation and Human Sciences, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, 08500 Vic, Barcelona, Spain.
Sport and Physical Activity Research Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Life Sciences and Health in Central Catalonia, Department of Experimental Science and Methodology, Faculty of Health Sciences and Welfare, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, 08500 Vic, Barcelona, Spain.
Prev Med Rep. 2025 Aug 23;58:103226. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2025.103226. eCollection 2025 Oct.
This study explored gender differences in perceived barriers to physical activity across adolescence and their impact on sport participation.
A 3-year longitudinal survey followed Spanish secondary school students ( = 180) into their first year of university (2012-2014). Data were collected on sociodemographic variables, perceived barriers to physical activity, and sport participation. Gender differences and effect sizes were assessed using Odds Ratios (ORs) and Cohen's D.
In high school, sport participation was 45 % for girls and 68 % for boys, decreasing to 12 % and 10 % respectively at university. Barriers to physical activity were reported by 59 % of students in high school and 63 % at university, more frequently by girls (OR = 3.66 in high school; OR = 3.15 at university). Among those who never perceived barriers, sport participation was close to 80 %. When barriers emerged only at university, participation dropped to 29 %. Sport participation was consistently lower in girls across all scenarios. The most common barriers were lack of time and too much homework, while cost-related barriers became more prominent at university.
Understanding how physical activity barriers change by gender during the transition to university is key to designing effective interventions. For girls, early prevention is essential. University-emerging barriers strongly reduce sport involvement regardless of gender.
本研究探讨了青少年在体育活动感知障碍方面的性别差异及其对体育参与的影响。
一项为期3年的纵向调查跟踪了西班牙中学生（n = 180）直至他们大学一年级（2012 - 2014年）。收集了社会人口统计学变量、体育活动感知障碍和体育参与的数据。使用优势比（OR）和科恩d值评估性别差异和效应大小。
在高中阶段，女生的体育参与率为45%，男生为68%，到大学时分别降至12%和10%。59%的高中生和63%的大学生报告了体育活动障碍，女生报告得更频繁（高中时OR = 3.66；大学时OR = 3.15）。在那些从未感知到障碍的学生中，体育参与率接近80%。当障碍仅在大学出现时，参与率降至29%。在所有情况下，女生的体育参与率一直较低。最常见的障碍是缺乏时间和作业太多，而与成本相关的障碍在大学变得更加突出。
了解在向大学过渡期间体育活动障碍如何因性别而变化是设计有效干预措施的关键。对于女生来说，早期预防至关重要。大学出现的障碍无论性别都会强烈降低体育参与度。
