Bruno Majić1, Barbara Gilic1, Milea Ajduk-Kurtović2, Mate Brekalo2, Dorica Šajber3
1University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology, Split, Croatia
2University of Mostar, Faculty of Mathematics and Science Education, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
3University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Physical Literacy Levels in the Croatian Adult Population; Gender Differences and Associations with Participation in Organized Physical Activity
Sport Mont 2024, 22(2), 33-38 | DOI: 10.26773/smj.240705
Abstract
Physical literacy (PL) is the foundation for lifelong participation in physical activity. Most previous research concentrated on PL examinations in younger groups, while such research is scarce in the adult population. This study aimed to determine the PL levels of the Croatian adult population. Also, the aim was to investigate whether individuals with longer participation in organized physical activity have higher PL levels and do males and females differ in PL levels. The sample comprised 561 individuals (321 females, 240 males) aged 27.65±12.13 years. PL levels were assessed by the Croatian version of the Perceived Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPLQ-Cro). Demographic characteristics included age, gender, and years of involvement in organized physical activity. Gender differences were calculated using the Mann-Whitney U test and effect sizes. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to determine associations between study variables. Males had significantly higher PL levels compared to females (83.10±16.17 for males and 74.27±20.07 for females, Z=-6.88, p=0.001). Years of organized physical activity were associated with PL levels (R=0.48, p=0.001) in the total sample as well in males (R=0.55, p<0.001) and females (R=0.24, p<0.01) separately. The finding that years of organized physical activity are associated with total PL supports the theory that PL is the cornerstone for participating in lifetime physical activity. The results of this study emphasize the importance of introducing the concept of PL in numerous institutions and organizations connected with organized physical activity.
Keywords
physical exercise, health behaviors, lifestyle medicine, well-being, older individuals
View full article
(PDF – 393KB)
References
Belanger, K., Barnes, J. D., Longmuir, P. E., Anderson, K. D., Bruner, B., Copeland, J. L., … & Tremblay, M. S. (2018). The relationship between physical literacy scores and adherence to Canadian physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines. BMC Public Health, 18(Suppl 2), 1042. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5897-4
Boldovskaia, A., Dias, N. M. G., Silva, M. N., & Carraça, E. V. (2023). Physical literacy assessment in adults: A systematic review. PLoS One, 18(7), e0288541. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288541
Brown, D. M. Y., Dudley, D. A., & Cairney, J. (2020). Physical literacy profiles are associated with differences in children’s physical activity participation: A latent profile analysis approach. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 23(11), 1062-1067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.05.007
Cairney, J., Clark, H., Dudley, D., & Kriellaars, D. (2019). Physical literacy in children and youth—A construct validation study. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 38(2), 84-90.
Caldwell, H. A. T., Di Cristofaro, N. A., Cairney, J., Bray, S. R., MacDonald, M. J., & Timmons, B. W. (2020). Physical Literacy, Physical Activity, and Health Indicators in School-Age Children. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155367
Caspersen, C. J., Powell, K. E., & Christenson, G. M. (1985). Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research. Public Health Reports, 100(2), 126-131.
Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Routledge. New York, US.
Cowley, E. S., Watson, P. M., Foweather, L., Belton, S., Thompson, A., Thijssen, D., & Wagenmakers, A. J. M. (2021). "Girls Aren't Meant to Exercise": Perceived Influences on Physical Activity among Adolescent Girls-The HERizon Project. Children (Basel), 8(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/children8010031
DiPietro, L., Al-Ansari, S. S., Biddle, S. J., Borodulin, K., Bull, F. C., Buman, M. P., … & Chastin, S. (2020). Advancing the global physical activity agenda: recommendations for future research by the 2020 WHO physical activity and sedentary behavior guidelines development group. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17, 1-11.
Edwards, L. C., Bryant, A. S., Keegan, R. J., Morgan, K., & Jones, A. M. (2017). Definitions, Foundations and Associations of Physical Literacy: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine, 47(1), 113-126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0560-7
Frömel, K., Groffik, D., Šafář, M., & Mitáš, J. (2022). Differences and Associations between Physical Activity Motives and Types of Physical Activity among Adolescent Boys and Girls. Biomedical Research International, 2022, 6305204. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6305204
Guthold, R., Stevens, G. A., Riley, L. M., & Bull, F. C. (2018). Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1·9 million participants. Lancet Global Health, 6(10), e1077-e1086. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(18)30357-7
Holler, P., Carl, J., van Poppel, M. N. M., & Jaunig, J. (2023). Development of the Perceived Physical Literacy Questionnaire (PPLQ) for the adult population. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 21(4), 424-433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2023.09.003
Longmuir, P. E., & Tremblay, M. S. (2016). Top 10 research questions related to physical literacy. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 87(1), 28-35.
Mackenzie-Stewart, R., de Lacy-Vawdon, C., Murphy, N., & Smith, B. J. (2023). Engaging adults in organized physical activity: a scoping review of recruitment strategies. Health Promotion International, 38(3). https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daad050
Molanorouzi, K., Khoo, S., & Morris, T. (2015). Motives for adult participation in physical activity: type of activity, age, and gender. BMC Public Health, 15, 66. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-1429-7
Pastor-Cisneros, R., Carlos-Vivas, J., Muñoz-Bermejo, L., Adsuar-Sala, J. C., Merellano-Navarro, E., & Mendoza-Muñoz, M. (2021). Association between Physical Literacy and Self-Perceived Fitness Level in Children and Adolescents. Biology, 10(12), 1358. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/10/12/1358
Peralta, M., Santos, J., Bordado, J., Henriques-Neto, D., Martins, J., Cruz, P., … & Marques, A. (2021). Participation in Physical Activity is Associated with Well-being in European University Students. Montenegrin Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 10(2).
Perkins, D. F., Jacobs, J. E., Barber, B. L., & Eccles, J. S. (2004). Childhood and adolescent sports participation as predictors of participation in sports and physical fitness activities during young adulthood. Youth & Society, 35(4), 495-520.
Rhodes, R. E., Janssen, I., Bredin, S. S. D., Warburton, D. E. R., & Bauman, A. (2017). Physical activity: Health impact, prevalence, correlates and interventions. Psychology and Health, 32(8), 942-975. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2017.1325486
Ryom, K., Hargaard, A. S., Melby, P. S., Maindal, H. T., Bentsen, P., Ntoumanis, N., … & Elsborg, P. (2022). Self-reported measurements of physical literacy in adults: a scoping review. BMJ Open, 12(9), e058351. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058351
Saffer, H., Dave, D., Grossman, M., & Ann Leung, L. (2013). Racial, ethnic, and gender differences in physical activity. Journal of Human Capital, 7(4), 378-410.
Schober, P., Boer, C., & Schwarte, L. A. (2018). Correlation Coefficients: Appropriate Use and Interpretation. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 126(5), 1763-1768. https://doi.org/10.1213/ane.0000000000002864
Shearer, C., Goss, H. R., Edwards, L. C., Keegan, R. J., Knowles, Z. R., Boddy, L. M., … & Foweather, L. (2018). How is physical literacy defined? A contemporary update. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education , 37(3), 237-245.
Smith, G. S. E., Moyle, W., & Burton, N. W. (2023). The Relationship between Social Support for Physical Activity and Physical Activity across Nine Years in Adults Aged 60-65 Years at Baseline. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054531
Sunda, M., Gilic, B., Sekulic, D., Matic, R., Drid, P., Alexe, D. I., … & Lupu, G. S. (2022). Out-of-School Sports Participation Is Positively Associated with Physical Literacy, but What about Physical Education? A Cross-Sectional Gender-Stratified Analysis during the COVID-19 Pandemic among High-School Adolescents. Children (Basel), 9(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/children9050753
Telama, R., Yang, X., Leskinen, E., Kankaanpää, A., Hirvensalo, M., Tammelin, T., … & Raitakari, O. T. (2014). Tracking of physical activity from early childhood through youth into adulthood. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 46(5), 955-962.
Vukelja, M., Milanovic, D., & Salaj, S. (2022). Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Croatian preschool children: a population-based study. Montenegrin Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 11(1).
Westerbeek, H., & Eime, R. (2021). The Physical Activity and Sport Participation Framework-A Policy Model Toward Being Physically Active Across the Lifespan. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 3, 608593. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.608593
Whitehead, M. (2013). Definition of physical literacy and clarification of related issues. Icsspe Bulletin, 65(1.2).