TRENDS IN ADOLESCENT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN SOUTHERN AND WESTERN BOHEMIA, 2014-2022

Background
This study analyzed long-term trends and gender differences in adolescent physical activity (PA) in Southern and Western Bohemia, the Czech Republic, between 2014 and 2022.

Material and methods
The study was conducted annually in 4 to 6 high schools. In total, 279 boys and 444 girls participated. Weekly PA was assessed using pedometers and Garmin Vivofit devices. In the analysis of weekly PA, a comparison was made between the number of steps taken on individual days of the week.

Results
Girls showed significantly lower PA levels than boys on school days (F(1,709)=13.34, p<0.001, ηp²=0.018). Boys (12,431 steps) and girls (11,737 steps) had the highest average amount of steps/day on Friday. Significant year-to-year differences in PA were also observed (F(6,709)=6.83, p<0.001, ηp²=0.055). Only 54.1% of boys and 40.3% of girls met the recommended 11,000 steps per day (χ²=13.16, p<0.001, r=0.135).

Conclusions
The findings raise concerns about the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent PA, particularly among girls. The observed weekly PA structure highlights the need to promote PA among both sexes, especially on Mondays and weekends.