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Research has shown that there is a decrease in physical activity levels during early adolescence, especially for girls. Previous studies have shown that the social physique anxiety (SPA) may be a controlling factor influencing exercise motivation and engagement in this behavior; however, the potential role that puberty plays in this decrease has not been considered until now. The objective of the present study was to examine the impact of pubertal timing and pubertal tempo on SPA and exercise motivation and behavior. Data from 328 early adolescent girls, aged between 9 and 12 at the time of joining the study, were collected in 3 waves over a 2-year period. Using structural equation modeling techniques, different 3-time-point growth models were estimated to examine if earlier maturing and compressed maturing in girls had differential effects on SPA and exercise motivation and behavior. The results from growth analyses suggest that early maturing (according to all the pubertal indicators considered, except menstruation) tends to translate into (1) an increase in SPA levels and (2) a decrease in exercise - in the latter case, by reducing self-determined motivation. However, no differential effects from any of the pubertal indicators were found for compressed maturing in girls. These results highlight the need for increased efforts toward developing programs aimed at helping early maturing girls to cope with the challenges of puberty with a particular focus on SPA experiences and exercise motivation and behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current scientific literature has shown significant disparity in results when physical activity is linked to academic achievement among adolescents. Thus, the main objectives of this study were (1) to analyze the relationship among students' academic achievement, intention to be physically active, and physical activity levels depending on the country (Spain or Chile), as well as to analyze these relationships based on students' socio-economic status, type of school, school year, gender, and body mass index; and (2) to analyze the differences between all these variables depending on the students' country and gender. In total, 3052 adolescents participated in the research (14.58 ± 1.39 years): 734 Chilean students (336 males and 398 females) and 2318 Spanish students (1180 males and 1138 females). Various questionnaires were used to measure the study variables. The results revealed significant relationships between academic achievement and the rest of the variables in Spanish adolescents, but in the Chilean population, academic achievement was significantly related only to socio-economic status and the type of school. Moreover, Spanish students obtained higher scores, especially the males, except for academic achievement, which was higher in females. There were also significant differences in academic achievement, intention to be physically active, physical activity levels, and socio-economic status depending on the country, with all scores being higher in Spain. Given the results, the country seems to be an important factor when comparing academic achievement and physical activity levels, besides other demographic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The study aim is to analyze the role of active vs. passive commuting in a model with socio economic influences, father and mother professional level, psychological influences, as perceived health, and demographic variables as gender and age related with physical activity. A representative sample of Aragón (3 %), 1618 adolescents (734 girls) between 1º and 4º years of Education Secondary Obligatory (Mean age = 14.46, SD = 1.28 years) completed questionnaires to assess the studied variables. The mixture structural modeling multigroup with known classes shows that the perceived health of active commuting adolescents are strongly related with physical activity and socioeconomic status. Gender and age are related with physical activity in sedentary and active commuting groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the study was to test the self determination theory (SDT) sequence to predict physical activity (PA) and intention to be active during adolescence: social factors (father, mother, friends, and physical education teacher) → basic psychological needs (BPN) → types of motivation were assessed→ PA and intention to be active. Participants were 1,150 adolescents, Mage = 15.01 (1.55), who completed questionnaires. Structural equation modeling supports the SDT sequence model. Results revealed that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation positively predicted both PA and intention to be active while amotivation did so negatively. Moreover, social factors behaved differently with BPN, finding positive relationships between father, friends, and physical education teachers with competence, autonomy, and relatedness, whereas mother's support does not influence the sequence. The study shed light on the SDT theory to provide a better understanding of physical activity behaviors and intentions during adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]