Pistol and Rifle Performance: Gender and Relative Age Effect Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The sport overrepresentation of early-born athletes within a selection year is called relative age effect (RAE). Moreover, gender performance differences depend on the sport. The main objectives of the study were to compare performances between gender and RAE in precision shooting events. METHOD: The results of 704 shooters who participated in the most recent World Shooting Championship were compared. Performance was analysed by event (rifle and pistol), gender and category (junior and senior), together with RAE and six ranges of ranking positions. RESULTS: The results of the study indicated that men scored higher than women in pistol events and that no performance differences were found in rifle events when the whole group was compared. According to the birth trimester, no significant differences were found in the participant's distribution, nor in performance in any case. CONCLUSIONS: The main conclusions of the study are: (1) the men's pistol performance is better than the women's even though RAE is not associated to the shooting score in any case; (2) men and women performed equally in the general analysis, but their performances were different depending on category and event with no RAE influence.

Validity and reliability of the TargetScan ISSF Pistol & Rifle application for measuring shooting performance.

Several technologies, with varying economic costs, are used to measure the performance of Olympic sport shooters, including electronic targets, laser systems, and mobile phone applications. Nevertheless, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) does not currently accept any mobile applications as valid measurement systems. The objective of the study was to check the validity and reliability of the TargetScan ISSF Pistol & Rifle application, an automatic mobile application for measuring the performance of shooters via image analysis. A total of 1440 shots were fired by 24 shooters (720 shots each for the air rifle and air pistol events), and the target sheets were analyzed with the application installed on an iPhone X. The official competition results and the measurements from the application were then compared. The results showed an almost perfect reliability for air pistol shots (ICC = .999) and no significant differences between the official average scores and those measured by the application. The reliability was also high for air rifle shots (ICC = .998), but the average scores registered by the application were statistically lower than the official results. We concluded that TargetScan ISSF Pistol & Rifle is a low-cost, valid, and reliable application for measuring amateur and semi-professional shooting performance which may be useful to shooters, coaches, clubs, and federations worldwide.

Recent changes in women's Olympic shooting and effects in performance.

In 2018, the Olympic shooting regulations were modified to increase the number of women's shots from 40 to 60, equaling the number given to men. This research presented in this paper addresses two research issues: (1) has the performance of women's shooting changed as a result of this increase in the number of shots? and (2) with the equalized number of shots in place, do women and men perform differently? This study included 292 shooters who competed in the 2016 and/or 2018 European Championships who all obtained top-50 results. Our sample included balanced quotas for sports (50% pistol and 50% rifle) and by category (50% women and 50% men). Both championships were held in the same facilities and in the same month of the season, but with the difference that in 2016, women had 40 shots and in 2018 they had 60 shots. We observed that women's performances did not diminish for the pistol or the rifle category when their number of shots were increased. Men and women shot equally well with rifles, although the men's performance with pistols was higher than that of women. We concluded that sports in which physical strength is a minor factor, as in the case of shooting, should revise their regulations in the interest of greater gender equality in sports.

Análisis comparativo de las demandas físicas de dos tareas de juego reducido en fútbol profesional / Comparing the physical demands of two small sided games on professional soccer

El objetivo del estudio fue comparar las demandas físicas de dos situaciones de fútbol reducido, modificando el espacio relativo de juego. El estudio siguió un diseño pre-experimental de grupo único. Un total de diez deportistas profesionales pertenecientes a un equipo de primera división de la liga española de futbol fueron sometidos a dos tareas de fútbol reducido: 7x7 (25x45 m) y 11x11 (60x45 m). Mediante GPS se midieron las siguientes variables cinemáticas: distancia recorrida, distancia recorrida a alta intensidad, número de aceleraciones moderadas, número de aceleraciones medias, número de aceleraciones máximas, duración de las aceleraciones, y distancia recorrida durante las aceleraciones. Se procedió con estadística descriptiva y, tras comprobar la normalidad de las distribuciones, se procedió con prueba T para muestras relacionadas, estimándose el tamaño del efecto mediante el porcentaje de cambio. En la situación 11x11 los jugadores recorrieron más distancia (p = 0,003), corrieron más distancia a altas velocidades (p = 0,016) y se produjeron aceleraciones más duraderas en tiempo (p = 0,017) y en distancia recorrida (p = 0,001). En la situación de juego 7x7 se registraron mayor número de aceleraciones moderadas (p = 0,002) y medias (p = 0,004). Mientras que la carga de trabajo total es mayor en la situación 11x11, el 7x7 es más exigente en cuanto a aceleraciones y cambios de ritmo, lo que implica una carga interna distinta, de orientación más neuromuscular. A juicio de los autores de este trabajo, las demandas físicas propias del 7x7, en el que se realizan un mayor número de aceleraciones, convierten al 7x7 en un ejercicio idóneo para trabajar la fuerza específi ca en un contexto en el que se integran aspectos físico, técnico y táctico

The aim of the present study was to compare the physical demands of two SSG (small sided games) modifying the relative pitch area per player. The study followed a pre-experimental design only group. A total of ten professional soccer players belonging to a team of Spanish fi rst division soccer league were monitored during two diff erent SSG: 7x7 (25x45 m) and 11x11 (60x45 m). Using GPS the following cinematic variables were measured: distance, distance at high speed running, number of moderate accelerations, average number of accelerations, number of maximal acceleration, duration of acceleration, and distance traveled during acceleration. After checking the normal distribution, data were analyzed by T test for related sample, and eff ect size was estimated using percentage change. According to the results, in 11x11 SSG players covered more total distance (p = 0.003), covered more distance at high intensity running (p = 0.016) and accelerations occurred along more time (p = 0.017) and distance (p = 0.001). In the 7x7 SSG more number of moderate (p = 0.002) and medium (p = 0.004) accelerations were registered. Even though the total workload is higher in the 11x11 situation, 7x7 is more demanding in terms of accelerations and direction changes, which implies a diff erent internal load, more neuromuscular. Furthermore, the physical demands of the SSG 7x7, where a higher number of accelerations are performed, becoming the 7x7 an ideal task to work specifi c strength, in a context where physical, technical and tactical aspects are integrated

Seasonal strength performance and its relationship with training load on elite runners.

The aim of this study was to analyze the time-course of force production of elite middle and long-distance runners throughout an entire season and at the end of the off-season, as well as its relationships with training load and hormonal responses. Training load was recorded daily throughout an entire season by measuring and evaluating the session distance (km), training zone and session-RPE in a group of 15 elite middle and long-distance runners (12 men, 3 women; age = 26.3 ± 5.1yrs, BMI = 19.7 ± 1.1). Also, basal salivary-free cortisol levels were measured weekly, and 50-metre sprints, mean propulsive velocity (MPV), mean propulsive power (MPP), repetition maximum (RM) and peak rate of force development (RFD) of half-squats were measured 4 times during the season, and once more after the off-season break. There were no significant variations in force production during the season or after the off-season break, except for the RFD (-30.2%, p = 0.005) values, which changed significantly from the beginning to the end of the season. Significant correlations were found between session-RPE and MPV (r = -0.650, p = 0.004), MPP (r = -0.602, p = 0.009), RM (r = -0.650, p = 0.004), and the 50-metre sprint (r = 0.560, p = 0.015). Meanwhile, salivary-free cortisol correlated significantly with the 50-metre sprint (r = 0.737, p < 0.001) and the RM ( r = -0.514, p = 0.025). Finally, the training zone correlated with the 50-metre sprint (r = -0.463, p = 0.041). Session-RPE, training zone and salivary-free cortisol levels are related to force production in elite middle and long-distance runners. Monitoring these variables could be a useful tool in controlling the training programs of elite athletes. Key pointsSession-RPE, training zone and salivary free cortisol levels correlate significantly with strength-related variables in middle and long-distance elite runners.A month of active rest during the off-season break is enough to prevent decreases in force production of such athletes.Monitoring training loads through session-RPE is a suitable and simple method for controlling the training process in elite middle and long-distance runners.

Prevalence of leisure-time sedentary behaviour and sociodemographic correlates: a cross-sectional study in Spanish adults.

BACKGROUND: Being physically inactive has been linked to a higher mortality and poorer quality of life. This cross-sectional study examines the prevalence of leisure-time sedentary behaviour in a population of Spanish adults and its correlates with several sociodemographic variables. METHODS: Data were collected from 1,330 subjects living in Madrid (age: 18-65 years, 51.6% women) by telephone interview. The sampling error was ±2.7% for a 95.5% confidence level. Leisure-time sedentary behaviour was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (version 2). Further factors examined were: country of birth, sex, age, civil state, education level, employment and economic status and physical activity of parents. RESULTS: 76.3% of the subjects interviewed reported a mostly sedentary leisure-time lifestyle. The remaining subjects (23.7%) reported a moderate to high level of physical activity, meeting minimum recommendations. Logistic regression adjusted for all variables identified the following population subsets as showing a greater risk of sedentary behaviour: women (odds ratio (OR) = 2.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.64, 2.79), participants aged 41-50 years (OR = 1.64; 95%CI:1.05, 2.51), those with a middle economic status (OR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.10) or not providing information about their income (OR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.05, 3.67), and those whose father (OR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.07) and/or mother (OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.97) were never physically active during leisure-time. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of self-reported sedentary behaviour recorded suggests the need for public health policies targeted at increasing leisure-time physical activity levels. Our data identified several population subsets as priority candidates for possible interventions pursuing this goal.

Objectively measured physical activity has a negative but weak association with academic performance in children and adolescents.

AIM: There is an emerging body of evidence on the potential effects of regular physical activity on academic performance. The aim of this study was to add to the debate, by examining the association between objectively measured physical activity and academic performance in a relatively large sample of children and adolescents. METHODS: The Spanish UP & DOWN study is a 3-year longitudinal study designed to assess the impact, overtime, of physical activity and sedentary behaviours on health indicators. This present analysis was conducted with 1778 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years. Physical activity was objectively measured by accelerometry. Academic performance was assessed using school grades. RESULTS: Physical activity was inversely associated with all academic performance indicators after adjustment for potential confounders, including neonatal variables, fatness and fitness (all p < 0.05). This association became nonsignificant among quartiles of physical activity. There were only slight differences in academic performance between the lowest and the second quartile of physical activity, compared to the highest quartile, with very small effect size (d < 0.20). CONCLUSION: Objectively measured physical activity may influence academic performance during both childhood and adolescence, but this association was negative and very weak. Longitudinal and intervention studies are necessary to further our understanding.

Relationships among repeated sprint ability, vertical jump performance and upper-body strength in professional basketball players

The repeated sprint ability (RSA), counter-movement jump (CMJ) performance and upper-body strength are very important variables in high-level basketball competition. However, the relationships among these variables are poorly studied in elite basketball players. Thus, the purpose of this research is to study the relationships among the Running-Based Anaerobic Speed Test (RAST), the CMJ and upper-body strength in professional male basketball players from the highest-level competition of Spain (League Endesa). Eleven, athletes (N=11, age = 24.5 ± 5.8 yrs, height = 200 ± 10.9 cm, weight = 98.4 ± 9 kg) were tested on the RAST, the CMJ before and after the RAST and the bench press strength in one single morning. The results show, high and statistically significant correlations between the RAST fatigue index (FI) and CMJ loss (the difference between pre and post RAST measures) (r = 0.78, p <0.01), the FI and the maximum force production on the bench press (r = -0.86, p <0.01), and the CMJ loss and the load at which peak power is produced on the bench press (r = -0.77, p <0.01). Our data highlights the remarkable relationship among repeated-sprint ability, the CMJ and upper-body strength in professional male basketball players. For this, it seems clear that elite basketball players may benefit from training programs designed to improve such variables simultaneously. This may be relevant for the strength & conditioning training of such athletes

La capacidad de repetir sprints cortos, los niveles de salto vertical con contramovimiento (CMJ) y la fuerza de miembros superiores tienen una gran importancia en la competición de alto nivel de baloncesto, aunque la relación entre estas variables no está clara en jugadores de elite. Así, el objetivo de esta investigación es estudiar las relaciones entre el test anaeróbico especifico de carrera (RAST), el CMJ y la fuerza de miembros superiores en jugadores profesionales de baloncesto de la liga de mayor nivel competitivo en Espana (Liga Endesa). Para ello, se midió el RAST, el salto con contramovimiento (CMJ) antes y después del RAST y la fuerza en press de banca a 10 deportistas (N=11, edad=24,51 ± 5,8 años, altura = 2001 ± 10,9 cm, peso corporal = 98,41 ± 9 kg) durante una sesión de entrenamiento. Los resultados muestran correlaciones altas y significativas entre el índice de fatiga en el RAST (IF) y la perdida de CMJ (diferencia entre la medición antes y después del RAST) (r = 0,78, p <0,01), el IF y la máxima producción de fuerza en el press de banca (r =-0,86, p <0,01), y la perdida de CMJ y la carga con la que se produce la potencia máxima en press de banca (r = -0,77, p <0,01). Estos datos evidencian la notable relación existente entre la capacidad de repetir sprints, el CMJ y la fuerza de miembros superiores en jugadores profesionales de baloncesto. Por ello, la elaboración de programas de entrenamiento que incidan en estas capacidades simultáneamente parece justifi cada en jugadores de baloncesto de elite. Estos hallazgos pueden ser relevantes para la preparación física de dichos deportistas

Characteristics of extracurricular physical activity and cognitive performance in adolescents. The AVENA study.

The aim of this report was to examine the associations between some characteristics (i.e., structure and number) of extracurricular physical activity (EPA) and cognitive performance in adolescents. A total of 1662 adolescents (880 girls; 13.0-18.5 years) from 5 Spanish cities (Granada, Madrid, Murcia, Santander and Zaragoza) were included in this study. Structure (organised and non-organised) and number of EPAs, and participation at vigorous intensity during EPA were self-reported. Cognitive performance (verbal, numeric and reasoning abilities, and an overall score) was measured with the "SRA-Test of Educational Ability". Results showed that vigorous EPA was positively associated with all cognitive variables. Adolescents who practiced an organised EPA had higher scores in 3 of the 4 cognitive variables than those who practiced a non-organised EPA (all P < 0.05). Likewise, the group who participated in more than one EPA had higher cognitive performance in all variables than the group who participated in only one EPA (all P < 0.05). Regardless of potential confounder variables, including vigorous EPA, both structure and number of EPAs were each other independently associated with cognitive performance. Therefore, structure and number of EPAs may positively influence cognitive performance in adolescents. Participating in multiple, organised EPA may have benefits for cognitive performance.

Hormonal and neuromuscular responses to high-level middle- and long-distance competition.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of high-level competition on salivary free cortisol, countermovement jump (CMJ), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and the relationships between these fatigue indicators in a group of elite middle- and long-distance runners. METHOD: The salivary free cortisol levels and CMJ height of 10 high-level middle- and long-distance runners (7 men, 3 women; age 27.6 ± 5.1y) competing in 800-m, 1500-m, 3000-m, or 5000-m events in the 2013 Spanish National Championships were measured throughout a 4-wk baseline period, then again before and after their respective races on the day of the competition. Athletes' RPE was also measured after their races. RESULTS: Cortisol increased significantly after the race compared with the value measured 90 min before the race (+98.3%, g = 0.82, P < .05), while CMJ height decreased significantly after the race (-3.9%, g = 0.34, P < .05). The decrease in CMJ height after the race correlates significantly with the postcompetition cortisol increase (r = .782, P < .05) and the RPE assessment (r = .762, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Observed differences in CMJ height correlate significantly with salivary free cortisol levels and RPE of middle- and long-distance runners. These results show the suitability of the CMJ for monitoring multifactorial competition responses in high-level middle- and long-distance runners.

The concurrent validity and reliability of a low-cost, high-speed camera-based method for measuring the flight time of vertical jumps.

Flight time is the most accurate and frequently used variable when assessing the height of vertical jumps. The purpose of this study was to analyze the validity and reliability of an alternative method (i.e., the HSC-Kinovea method) for measuring the flight time and height of vertical jumping using a low-cost high-speed Casio Exilim FH-25 camera (HSC). To this end, 25 subjects performed a total of 125 vertical jumps on an infrared (IR) platform while simultaneously being recorded with a HSC at 240 fps. Subsequently, 2 observers with no experience in video analysis analyzed the 125 videos independently using the open-license Kinovea 0.8.15 software. The flight times obtained were then converted into vertical jump heights, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland-Altman plot, and Pearson correlation coefficient were calculated for those variables. The results showed a perfect correlation agreement (ICC = 1, p < 0.0001) between both observers' measurements of flight time and jump height and a highly reliable agreement (ICC = 0.997, p < 0.0001) between the observers' measurements of flight time and jump height using the HSC-Kinovea method and those obtained using the IR system, thus explaining 99.5% (p < 0.0001) of the differences (shared variance) obtained using the IR platform. As a result, besides requiring no previous experience in the use of this technology, the HSC-Kinovea method can be considered to provide similarly valid and reliable measurements of flight time and vertical jump height as more expensive equipment (i.e., IR). As such, coaches from many sports could use the HSC-Kinovea method to measure the flight time and height of their athlete's vertical jumps.

Perception of physical fitness is associated with perception of body weight; sociodemographic analysis in Spain / La percepción del estado de forma física está asociada a la percepción del peso corporal; análisis sociodemográfico en España

Introduction: The objective of this study was to analyse the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics, body weight perception and physical fitness perception. Methods: Survey by means of personal interview. The sample consisted of 8,594 participants living in Spain between 15 and 97 years of age. Sampling error was±1.07%.Results: Of the people who reported having good or excellent physical fitness, there was a proportionally greater prevalence of males, people aged 15 to 34, people with university studies and people from an upper or very upper social class (P < 0.001). It was also inferred that there was agreater possibility of perceiving deficient or very bad physical fitness in cohorts who felt that they should gain a bit of weight (OR = 2.87), lose a bit of weight (OR = 2.31) or lose a lot of weight (OR = 8.78).Conclusion: Perception of physical fitness is associated with perception of body weight, independently of people’s sociodemographic characteristics (AU)

Introducción: El objetivo del trabajo fue analizar la relación entre características sociodemográficas, percepción de peso corporal y percepción de estado de forma física. Métodos: Encuesta mediante entrevista personal. La muestra estuvo formada por 8.594 participantes residentes en España de entre 15 y 97 años. El error muestral fue ±1,07%.Resultados: Entre las personas que declararon estar bien de peso o tener una forma física buena o excelente hubo, proporcionalmente, mayor prevalencia de hombres, jóvenes de entre15 y 34 años, personas con estudios universitarios y ciudadanos de clase social alta o muy alta (P < 0,001). Además, se infirió mayor posibilidad de percibir una forma física deficiente o muy mala en las cohortes que consideraron que les vendría bien ganar algo de peso (OR = 2,87), perder unos pocos kilos(OR = 2,31) o perder muchos kilos (OR = 8,78).Conclusión: La percepción del estado de forma física está asociada a la percepción del peso corporal, independientemente de las características sociodemográficas de las personas (AU)

The effects of a maximal power training cycle on the strength, maximum power, vertical jump height and acceleration of high-level 400-meter hurdlers.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a power training cycle on maximum strength, maximum power, vertical jump height and acceleration in seven high-level 400-meter hurdlers subjected to a specific training program twice a week for 10 weeks. Each training session consisted of five sets of eight jump-squats with the load at which each athlete produced his maximum power. The repetition maximum in the half squat position (RM), maximum power in the jump-squat (W), a squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CSJ), and a 30-meter sprint from a standing position were measured before and after the training program using an accelerometer, an infra-red platform and photo-cells. The results indicated the following statistically significant improvements: a 7.9% increase in RM (Z=-2.03, p=0.021, δc=0.39), a 2.3% improvement in SJ (Z=-1.69, p=0.045, δc=0.29), a 1.43% decrease in the 30-meter sprint (Z=-1.70, p=0.044, δc=0.12), and, where maximum power was produced, a change in the RM percentage from 56 to 62% (Z=-1.75, p=0.039, δc=0.54). As such, it can be concluded that strength training with a maximum power load is an effective means of increasing strength and acceleration in high-level hurdlers.

Reliability of the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery in adolescents with Down syndrome.

The Assessing Levels of Physical Activity (ALPHA) health-related fitness test battery is a set of reliable, valid, and feasible tests to assess health-related physical fitness in children and in adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability of this battery in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). The extended ALPHA health-related fitness test battery was performed twice within 1 month in 17 apparently healthy adolescents, aged 12-18 years, with DS who had an intelligence quotient ≥ 35. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determinate test-retest reliability, and nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare mean differences between measurements. With the exception of subscapular skinfold test, which obtained a moderate agreement (ICC = 0.64), all tests had a very high reliability: the 20-m shuttle-run test (ICC = 0.86), the right handgrip strength test (ICC = 0.86), the left handgrip strength test (ICC = 0.86), the standing broad jump test (ICC = 0.85), body mass index (ICC = 0.95), waist circumference (ICC = 0.98), triceps skinfold (ICC = 0.85), and the 4 × 10-m shuttle-run test (ICC = 0.92). There were no significant differences (all p > 0.05) in any of the tests. The ALPHA health-related fitness battery is reliable for measuring health-related components of fitness in adolescents with DS.

Programas de formación "Adventure Based Counseling". Un estudio sobre el desarrollo de competencias vinculadas al trabajo en equipo / Training program "Adventure Based Counseling". Study about the development of the competences related to the team work

Esta investigación analiza el impacto de un programa de intervención formativa basado en el modelo Adventure Based Counseling (Schoell, Prouty y Radcliffe, 1989). Para ello se ha articulado una estrategia cuasi-experimental multigrupo y medidas pre/post, con una muestra de 48 adultos, los cuales fueron divididos en cinco grupos mediante muestreo incidental. Cuatro grupos recibieron formación experiencial basada en actividades jugadas en la naturaleza y un grupo hizo de testigo sin recibir tratamiento alguno. El instrumento empleado ha sido la adaptación del Team Development Inventory (TDI, Jones, 1982), para lo que se tradujo al español y se validó el cuestionario. Los resultados evidencian que el programa de formación incrementó la competencia para trabajar en equipo en todas las dimensiones, a saber: participación, colaboración, flexibilidad, clima emocional, asunción de riesgos, compromiso, facilitación del trabajo y apertura (AU)

This research analyzes the impact of a program based on the Adventure Based Counseling model (Schoell, Proutty and Radcliffe, 1989). A quasi-experimental multi-group design and pre/post measures with a sample of 48 adults was used, which they were divided into five groups by incidental sampling. Four groups have received the program based on experiential education by using outdoor games and activities and a control group. The measurement instrument used was the adaptation of the Team Development Inventory (TDI, Jones, 1982). This questionnaire was validated and translated to Spanish. The results showed that the training in-creases the participant’s skills and competence in all the following patterns: participation, cooperation, flexibility, emotional climate, risk taking, commitment, work facilitation and openness (AU)

[Construction and validation of a short scale of perception of barriers for the physical activity in adolescents]. / Construcción y validación de una escala breve de percepción de barreras para la práctica deportiva en adolescentes.

BACKGROUND: One of the main problems of health in the first world is the increase of physical inactivity. In this respect, adolescence has been identified as a critic period with high decline of physical activity. Therefore, a relevant line of research is the understanding of this social phenomenon. The aim of this study was to design a scale to assess perceived barriers to physical activity on adolescents. METHODS: A convenience sample of 160 Spanish adolescents (84 girls), between 12 and 18 years old, was recruited for this study. Firstly, there were designed 40 items whose pertinence was evaluated through content validation by experts. Later, the participants were divided in two randomized groups, and Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were performed to define a short scale of 12 items. Cronbach Alfa Coefficent was used to evaluate internal consistence of the instrument. RESULTS: The scale reports four dimensions: incompatibility barriers (2 items), self-concept barriers (4 items), amotivation barriers (4 items) and social barriers (2 items). The scale showed enough construct validity (χ2=60.78; d.f.=48; p=0.100; GFI=0.88; CFI=0.94; RMSEA=0.58) and high internal reliability (α=0.80). Moreover, the scale was able to explain 67% of the data variance. CONCLUSIONS: The Short Scale of Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity in Adolescents is a valid and reliable instrument.

Construcción y validacion de una escala breve de percepción de barreras para la práctica deportiva en adolescentes / Construction and validation of a short scale of perception of barriers for the physical activity in adolescents

Fundamento: Hoy en día, el descenso de la actividad física es un problema relevante de salud en el primer mundo. En consecuencia, una línea pertinente de investigación es la adquisición de conocimiento sobre los motivos por los que los adolescentes no practican actividad física. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido diseñar y validar una escala que permita evaluar las barreras hacia la actividad físico-deportiva desde la percepción de los adolescentes. Métodos: El estudio se ha llevado a cabo con una muestra incidental de 160 adolescentes españoles (84 mujeres), con edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 18 años. La muestra se dividió aleatoriamente en dos partes. Con una de las submuestras y a partir de un banco de 40 ítems, se procedió hasta alcanzar una escala breve y operativa de 12 ítems realizando un análisis factorial exploratorio. Con la segunda sub-muestra y mediante análisis factorial confirmatorio, se validó la estructura matricial. Asimismo, se analizó la consistencia interna de la escala obtenida mediante el coeficiente alpha de Cronbach. Resultados: La escala proporcionó información sobre cuatro dimensiones: barreras por incompatibilidad (2 ítems), barreras vinculadas al autoconcepto (4 ítems), barreras por desmotivación (4 ítems) y barreras sociales (2 ítems). El instrumento mostró suficiente validez de constructo (x2=60,78; grados de libertad=48; p=0,100; GFI=0,88; CFI=0,94; RMSEA=0,58) y alta consistencia interna (alpha=0,80). Además, la escala tuvo capacidad para explicar el 67% de la varianza de los resultados. Conclusión: La Escala Breve de Percepción de Barreras para la Práctica Deportiva en Adolescentes es un instrumento válido y fiable(AU)

Background: One of the main problems of health in the first world is the increase of physical inactivity. In this respect, adolescence has been identified as a critic period with high decline of physical activity. Therefore, a relevant line of research is the understanding of this social phenomenon. The aim of this study was to design a scale to assess perceived barriers to physical activity on adolescents. Methods: A convenience sample of 160 Spanish adolescents (84 girls), between 12 and 18 years old, was recruited for this study. Firstly, there were designed 40 items whose pertinence was evaluated through content validation by experts. Later, the participants were divided in two randomized groups, and Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were performed to define a short scale of 12 items. Cronbach Alfa Coefficent was used to evaluate internal consistence of the instrument. Results: The scale reports four dimensions: incompatibility barriers (2 items), self-concept barriers (4 items), amotivation barriers (4 items) and social barriers (2 items). The scale showed enough construct validity (X2=60.78; d.f.=48; p=0.100; GFI=0.88; CFI=0.94; RMSEA=0.58) and high internal reliability (alpha=0.80). Moreover, the scale was able to explain 67% of the data variance. Conclusions: The Short Scale of Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity in Adolescents is a valid and reliable instrument(AU)