University students, as a result of their lifestyles, represent a section of the population that is most likely to adopt sedentary behaviours. The aim of the present study was to analyse the determining factors dictating the performance of physical activity as well as sedentary behaviour among university students. A total of 608 students (64.6% women) from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) were selected by stratified random sampling to take part in the study, which involved completing a questionnaire on lifestyle and physical activity. Of the participating students, 69.6% indicated that they performed physical activity; the main reasons given were to maintain fitness and for health, while a lack of time and laziness were the principal reasons given for abandoning or not taking up physical exercise. Significant associations were established between not doing physical activity and the time exposed to screens, time studying, feeling low and smoking; on the other hand, associations could be seen between doing physical activity and the participation of relatives (parents, mothers, partners, older siblings and friends) in physical activity, as well as a positive sense of satisfaction relating to physical education taught in schools. In conclusion, most of the university students did some physical activity, which was associated with less sedentary behaviour, while the influence of school physical education and of the habits of relatives played an important role.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a Relative Age Effect (RAE) exists in motor competence of preschool children. The hypothesis was that motor competence, assessed by the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2), would be higher in preschool children born in the first quarter of the year compared to those who were born in the last quarter of the same year. A total of 360 preschool children were evaluated of whom 208 (57.8%) were boys and 152 (42.8%) were girls, with a mean age of 4.52 years old (± 0.50). The distribution of the participants was 172 children aged 4 years old and 188 aged 5 years old. The data showed a main effect on the age factor in the total score of aiming and catching (p < 0.001) and in the total test score (p < 0.001), in the quarter of birth factor in all the dimensions studied (i.e., total score of manual dexterity (p < 0.001); total score of aiming and catching (p = 0.001); total score of balance (p < 0.001); total test score (p < 0.001)) and in the interaction between both factors (i.e., total score of manual dexterity (p = 0.005); total score of aiming and catching (p = 0.002); total score of balance (p < 0.001); total test score (p < 0.001)). Age and quarter of birth produce a RAE in 4 and 5-year-old preschool children’s motor competence.

The Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD) is one of the most common tools for assessing the fundamental movement skills (FMS) in children between 3 and 10 years. This study aimed to examine the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the TGMD—3rd Edition (TGMD-3) between expert and novice raters using live and video assessment. Five raters [2 experts and 3 novices (one of them BSc in Physical Education and Sport Science)] assessed and scored the performance of the TGMD-3 of 25 healthy children [Female: 60%; mean (standard deviation) age 9.16 (1.31)]. Schoolchildren were attending at one public elementary school during the academic year 2019–2020 from Santiago de Compostela (Spain). Raters scored each children performance through two viewing moods (live and slow-motion). The ICC (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient) was used to determine the agreement between raters. Our results showed moderate-to-excellent intra-rater reliability for overall score and locomotor and ball skills subscales; moderate-to-good inter-rater reliability for overall and ball skills; and poor-to-good for locomotor subscale. Higher intra-rater reliability was achieved by the expert raters and novice rater with physical education background compared to novice raters. However, the inter-rater reliability was more variable in all the raters regardless of their experience or background. No significant differences in reliability were found when comparing live and video assessments. For clinical practice, it would be recommended that raters reach an agreement before the assessment to avoid subjective interpretations that might distort the results.

The aim of this research was determining disruptive behaviours of Primary and Secondary Schoolchildren in physical education classes according to educational stage, age and gender. The sample consisted of a total of 1304 students from 10 to 16 years old (M = 12.77; SD = 1.89), of whom 548 were Primary Education and 756 of Secondary Education; 612 were boys (46.9%) and 692 were girls (53.1%). The data collection was conducted through to the appropriate conduct scale in physical education and sport (CCDEF). The results obtained showed significant statistical differences in the age factor on Aggressiveness (AGR) (p < .001), Irresponsibility (IRRP) (p < .001), Fails to follow directions (FFD) (p < .001), Distracts or disturbs others (DDO) (p < .001) and Poor self-management (PSM) (p < .001). Regarding gender, there were statistically significant differences between boys and girls in FFD and on PSM (p < .001). Also, significant statistical differences were found on stage factor on AGR (p < .001), IRRP (p < .001), FFD (p < .001), DDO (p < .001) and PSM (p < .001). Disruptive behaviours scores increase with age and are higher in Compulsory Secondary Education than in Primary education schoolchildren. Boys in Primary Education scores higher than girls in all dimensions studied, while boys in Compulsory Secondary Education do so on aggressiveness.

Estilos de vida poco saludables, asociados a casos de sedentarismo, obesidad y sobrepeso, constituyen un grave problema de salud de la población infantil en España. A pesar de los esfuerzos de organismos como la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) por promover programas de promoción y educación para la salud en los colegios, los índices de sobrepeso y obesidad siguen siendo muy elevados en nuestro país. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el nivel de actividad física en escolares españoles de 5º y 6º de educación primaria. Participaron 1009 estudiantes de 10 y 12 años (Medad = 10.85, DE = 0.79), empleando como instrumento para la recogida de datos el Inventario de Actividad Física Habitual para Escolares (IAFHE). Los resultados muestran diferencias estadísticamente significativas respecto del género y la práctica deportiva fuera del colegio (NPFC) (p < .001), la práctica de actividad física durante el recreo (AFDR) (p < .001) y la práctica de actividades sedentarias (PAS) (p < .001); también, respecto de la edad y la AFDR (p = .001). Los niños practican mayor cantidad de actividad física que las niñas dentro y fuera del colegio, pero, en ambos casos, están por debajo de las recomendaciones de la OMS, debiendo reflexionar sobre los hábitos saludables fomentados desde la educación física escolar.  Abstract. Unhealthy lifestyles, associated with cases of sedentary lifestyle, obesity and overweight, constitute a serious health problem for children in Spain. Despite the efforts of organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), to promote health promotion and education programs in schools, rates of overweight and obesity remain very high in our country. The objective of this study was to determine the level of physical activity in Spanish students of 5th and 6th grade of primary education. A total of 1009 students of 10 and 12 years old (Mage = 10.85, DE = 0.79), responded the Inventory of Habitual Physical Activity for Schoolchildren (IAFHE), used as the instrument for data collection. The results show statistically significant differences by gender and out-of-school sports practice (NPOS) (p < .001), physical activity during recess (PADR) (p < .001) and sedentary activities (PSA) (p < .001); by age and PADR as well (p = .001). Boys practice more physical activity than girls in and out of school, but, in both cases, they are below WHO recommendations, which should arouse a reflection on healthy habits promoted through school physical education.