Differences between centers with aquatic activities in physical education, sports activities and the level of physical activity outside school

Abstract

Background: The demand for aquatic sports activities in schools and sports has increased in recent years, in part, thanks to the expected benefits on health and motor development of students.

Objetives: The main objective of this study was to determine the relationship between aquatic activities in physical education, out-of-school sports activity and the level of physical activity in 5th and 6th grade primary school students.

Method: The sample of the study was of 368 participants belonging to four educational centers, from Murcia Region (Spain), two of which had aquatic facilities, while the other two centers did not have this type of facilities. A battery of questions was used to know the type of out-of-school physical activity and the number of weekly hours devoted to these
activities.

Results: The results showed that there were significant differences in the level of extracurricular aquatic activities between the schools with aquatic practice and those that do not have such academic offer and a moderate effect size favorable for students with aquatic facilities compared to the level of physical activity and extracurricular activities.

Conclusions: Students who practice aquatic activities in physical education classes perform more physical activity outside the school and tend to be more active.

Keywords: Physical sport activity, exercise, health, children, lifestyle.