Understanding the relationship between physical literacy level and physical activity in school adolescents

Abstract

The reduction in physical activity among schoolchildren following the lockdown due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shown a decline in their physical capacities and the development of basic and complex motor skills. Based on the principles of Physical Literacy (PL), this study aims to analyse its level concerning the self-reported physical activity level (PAL) in a sample of secondary school students from the Maule Region, Chile (n = 368, 175 females and 193 males), aged between 12 and 18 years (14.5 ± 1.8). PL was measured using the Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument (PPLI), while PAL was assessed with the Physical Activity Questionnaire – Adolescents (PAQ-A). Preliminary results, on a scale from 1 to 5 points, show an average PL level of 3.70 ± 0.8 (males 3.8 ± 0.8; females 3.7 ± 0.8) and a PAL of 2.8 ± 0.8 (males 2.8 ± 0.8; females 2.8 ± 0.8). Among the dimensions of the PPLI, the most prominent was Knowledge and Understanding (4.1 ± 1.1), followed by Self-Confidence and Communication with Others (3.4 ± 1.3), while the Sense of Self and Confidence was the lowest (3.4 ± 1.2). As for the most frequent physical activities, walking (3.3 ± 1.5), cycling (3.0 ± 1.4), running, and football (2.7 ± 1.4) were reported, mainly carried out from Wednesday to Friday. No significant relationship was found between the level of PL and PAL (r = 0.170). In conclusion, the level of physical literacy achieved is moderately high, while the level of physical activity is below the expected average for their age, with no evidence of a direct relationship between the two indicators.