Predictors of adherence to physical activity recommendations among adolescents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v81.119110Keywords:
Family support, motivational climate, health promotion, public health, vigorous physical activityAbstract
Introduction: Adherence to physical activity recommendations among adolescents remains critically low worldwide, highlighting the need to identify contextual determinants that can guide more effective public health interventions.
Objective: To determine the relative importance of predictors of adherence to physical activity recommendations among Peruvian adolescents.
Methodology: A predictive cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,169 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, who were assessed using validated instruments measuring physical activity, motivational climate, family support, and sociodemographic variables.
Results: The results showed that perceived vigorous exertion was the strongest predictor of compliance (β = 2.716), while negative and very negative motivational climates in physical education were independently associated with a lower likelihood of meeting the recommendations (β = −0.461 and β = −1.566, respectively). Family support for physical activity (β = 0.340) and hours of daily physical activity (β = 0.308) showed positive effects, albeit of lesser magnitude.
Discussion: The results confirm the key role of vigorous activity and motivational climate, consistent with previous evidence.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that adherence to physical activity recommendations among Peruvian adolescents is primarily explained by contextual factors related to physical activity rather than sociodemographic determinants, suggesting that promotion strategies should simultaneously prioritize activity intensity and the quality of the motivational environment, beyond merely increasing the volume of physical activity.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Angel Anibal Mamani-Ramos, Edgar Froilan Damian-Nuñez, Jorge Alber Quisocala-Ramos, Edgar Eloy Carpio-Vargas, Henry Quispe-Cruz, Jhony Ruben Rodriguez-Mamani, Kandy Faviola Tuero-Chirinos, Yudy Yaneth Tapia-Centellas, Claudia Jessica Lauracio-Lope, Naysha Inmaculada Paricoto-Chaiña, Peggy Griselda Coa-Serrano
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