Impacto de la COVID-19 en la práctica deportiva de personas participantes en eventos deportivos de carrera a pie y ciclismo en España y Portugal (The impact of COVID-19 on physical activity on people who participate on running and cycling sporting events

The aim of this article is to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on physical activity on people who participate on running and cycling sporting events people in Spain and Portugal. It was considered The situation of sports practice in Spain and Portugal prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, as both governments legislate to protect citizens from the pandemic and it was analyzed the consequences of these acts. A descriptive investigation was carried out using a questionnaire (N=2696) and descriptive statistical analysis according to characteristics and distribution (test of normality) of different variables: frequencies, average, maximum and minimum values, median and IQR. From the results, the following can be highlighted: a) almost complete coincidence between both countries, of the generic profile of the practitioners;the order, by percentage, of the variables, and even the percentages of each variable for four of the five dimensions analyzed;b) the dimension that differs the most is how practitioners in Spain and Portugal adapted during the confinement time, and c) at all times the respondents perceived that the adaptations would be temporary and it was a matter of a few months before they returned to the normality. These data allow to understand the effect of COVID-19 pandemic had on physical activity on people who participate on sporting events in the natural environment in Spain and Portugal. Alternate :Es objeto de este artículo analizar el efecto de la COVID-19 en la práctica deportiva de personas participantes en eventos deportivos de carrera a pie y ciclismo en España y Portugal. Se consideró la situación de práctica deportiva en España y Portugal previa a la irrupción de la COVID-19, como ambos Gobiernos legislan para proteger a los ciudadanos de la pandemia y se analizan las consecuencias de éstas. Se realizó una investigación descriptiva mediante el uso de cuestionario (N=2696) y análisis estadístico descriptivo según características y distribución (prueba de la normalidad) de las diferentes variables: frecuencias, valores medios, máximas y mínimas, mediana e IQR. De los resultados obtenidos se puede destacar: a) la casi plena coincidencia entre estados del perfil genérico de los practicantes;el orden por porcentaje de las variables, e incluso, los porcentajes de cada variable para cuatro de las cinco dimensiones analizadas;b) la dimensión que más difiere fue como se adaptaron durante la fase de confinamiento las personas practicantes en España y Portugal, y c) que en todo momento las personas encuestadas percibieron que las adaptaciones serían pasajeras y era cuestión de algunos meses que se volviera a la normalidad. Estos datos permiten entender el efecto que la pandemia de la COVID-19 tuvo en la práctica deportiva y de participantes de eventos deportivos en el medio natural en España y Portugal.Alternate :Resumo. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar o efeito do COVID-19 na prática desportiva de participantes em eventos desportivos de corrida e ciclismo em Espanha e Portugal. A situação da prática desportiva em Espanha e Portugal antes do surgimento do COVID-19 foi considerada, uma vez que ambos os governos legislam para proteger os cidadãos da pandemia e as consequências destas são analisadas. Realizou-se pesquisa descritiva por meio de questionário (N = 2.696) e análise estatística descritiva segundo características e distribuição (teste de normalidade) das diferentes variáveis: frequências, média, valores máximos e mínimos, mediana e IQR. Dos resultados obtidos, destacam-se: a) a coincidência quase total entre estados do perfil genérico dos praticantes;a ordem em porcentagem das variáveis, e mesmo as porcentagens de cada variável para quatro das cinco dimensões analisadas;b) a dimensão que mais difere foi a forma como os praticantes em Espanha e Portugal se adaptaram durante a fase de reclusão ec) que em todos os momentos os inquiridos perceberam que as adaptações seriam temporárias e faltavam alguns meses para regressarem ao norma . Estes dados permitem compreender o efeito que a pandemia COVID-19 teve na prática desportiva e participantes em eventos desportivos em ambiente natural em Espanha e Portugal.

Impact of Covid19 on perceived barriers to practice physical activity in users of fitness centers in Spain

This research intends to know the perceived barriers, as well as their predictor variables, in people who practice Physical Activity in fitness centers and were home confined due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample was conformed of 8,087 physical activity practitioners. An online questionnaire was administered by email. A descriptive analysis of the perceived barriers was done, and logistic regression analysis to determine possible predictor variables. The most important perceived barriers were price and a lack of safety. Age, gender, the vigorous physical practice frequency and the observation of the WHO recommendations would be the predictor variables to a larger extend for the perceived barriers. The results are relevant for sport organizations to plan their services offer post lockdown. © 2022. Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Murcia. All Rights Reserved.

Contextual Factors Influencing Young Athletes' Decision to Do Physical Activity and Choose a Sports' Club: The Case of Portugal.

Physical activity and sports are a central part of individuals' lives throughout the life cycle. During adolescence, its regular practice may contribute to the development of healthy adult lifestyles, decreasing chronic disease incidence. Therefore, the reasons that drive adolescents to start practicing sports in a certain club may be multiple and understanding such causes can be important to design and implement public policies to promote active lifestyles for everyone. In this article, we report the core findings of a research on why young athletes do sports, how they choose their team-training club and how COVID-19 has had an impact on their routines. From a methodological viewpoint, a questionnaire was developed and sent to sport clubs located in NUTS2 Centro Region, Portugal, and results were analyzed through the use of geographic information systems and statistical analysis, namely association tests (Chi-square test), difference tests (Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test), logistic regression and descriptive analysis. Findings show that family, age group, friends, proximity to sports facilities, teammates, and club conditions are the factors that influence adolescents the most. In short, external factors have a significant preponderance to practice physical activity and choose a sports' club. These findings can provide useful insights for clubs, coaches and policy-makers to become more aware of the relationship between sports practice and accessibility to sports halls, as well as the athletes' behavior and their connection with the club and basketball practice. As such, these findings can motivate the design of initiatives and strategies to boost sports practice and to find ways for clubs to attract more adolescents.