Perceived key influencers to promote physical activity among Irish adolescents during first COVID-19 lockdown

Oral Presentation B13.5

Authors

  • Kwok Ng University of Limerick; University of Eastern Finland
  • Caera L. Grady University of Limerick
  • Maeve Conneely University of Limerick
  • Karen Cotter Mayo Education Centre
  • Donal O'Shea St. Vincent's University Hospital, University College Dublin
  • Catherine Woods University of Limerick

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.580

Keywords:

Transitions, Health Promotion, Epidemiology

Abstract

Background: Adolescents undergo vast bodily changes with a decline in physical activity (PA) with age, yet less is known about how information sources change during this transition. Purpose: To investigate how adolescents rate key influencers to promote PA among Irish adolescents during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: Adolescents aged between 12-17y old (n=3204, 63% females) in seven schools involved in the Active School Flag feasibility study completed an online survey in November 2020 about the first COVID-19 lockdown. Responses to perceived influence different people (i.e. family, friends, coach, teacher, celebrities, bloggers) had to promote PA (5-point agreement scale), with acceptable face validity. Multivariate linear regression analyses on age were stratified by gender and self-reported moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) levels. Results: Females were less physically active than males (p<.001) and PA declined with age (p<.001). Sport coaches were the strongest influence irrespective of gender, age or PA levels. Bloggers had lowest influence for males, although increased with age for females, particular those who were reported 5-6 days of MVPA ( p=.002). Family influence declined with age irrespective of gender or PA levels. Influence of friends increased with age among males (p<.001) and females (p<.001) who reported 3-4 days of MVPA. Conclusions: Sport coaches remain highly influential for all Irish adolescents, even during COVID-19 lockdown, yet family influence waned with age. Friends play an important role among aging adolescents with low PA. Strategies to promote PA outside of school need to take into consideration age of adolescents. Funding: The University of Limerick, Mayo Education Centre, Healthy Ireland and St. Vincent’s Charity.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Ng, K., Grady, C., Conneely, M., Cotter, K., O’Shea, D., & Woods, C. (2021). Perceived key influencers to promote physical activity among Irish adolescents during first COVID-19 lockdown: Oral Presentation B13.5. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.580

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