A1 Journal article (refereed)
Young People in the Social World of Physical Activities : Meanings and Barriers (2022)

Koski, P., Hirvensalo, M., Villberg, J., & Kokko, S. (2022). Young People in the Social World of Physical Activities : Meanings and Barriers. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(9), Article 5466. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095466

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Koski, Pasi; Hirvensalo, Mirja; Villberg, Jari; Kokko, Sami

Journal or series: International journal of environmental research and public health

ISSN: 1661-7827

eISSN: 1660-4601

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 30/04/2022

Volume: 19

Issue number: 9

Article number: 5466

Publisher: MDPI

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095466

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/81008

Abstract

Physical inactivity has become one of the leading risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and death worldwide. From the future perspective it is alarming that in the group of young people few meet the recommendations. In this respect, physical activity promotion in general and physical education have challenges and new approaches are needed. In this study, the theoretical framework is based on the physical activity relationship (PAR) approach and the barriers were grouped according to the ecological model. The aim of the study was firstly to present both the meanings and barriers of physical activity in a comprehensive Finnish population of 11–15 year old (n = 2728) and secondly to examine how the number of important meanings and mentioned barriers associate with each other with physical activity levels. Data were collected using a questionnaire. To examine how the meanings and barriers associate with each other and with the PA level, chi-squared test (χ2), Pearson correlation and General linear model (ANCOVA) were used. Logistic regression was applied to estimate effect sizes by odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. According to the results, the associations between physical activity with the meanings and barriers were reverse and linear. The more important the meanings were found to be, the more likely the study participants were physically active, whereas the more barriers participants reported, the less active they were. The approach which utilizes meanings and barriers has a lot of untapped potential for the promotion of physical activity and physical education. With the right actions, some barriers could be removed or dampened, and by opening up and deepening meanings, PAR could be strengthened.

Keywords: physical activity; physical training; immobility; physical fitness; young people; physical education (upbringing); barriers; meaning (importance)

Free keywords:  physical activity; adolescent; physical activity promotion; physical education

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1