The levels of physical activity (PA) in the population have decreased, especially at an early age. The aims of the study were: to evaluate the percentage of children meeting PA recommendations for both genders, and to measure steps and PA level at different time intervals during the week. This was an observational cross-sectional study. Seventy-three schoolchildren (36 boys and 37 girls), aged two years (2.12 ± 0.46), were selected to participate in this study. Participants wore an “Actigraph GT3X” accelerometer for seven days to measure the minutes engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and step volume. The results show 100% of the children studied met the recommended 60 min/day of MVPA, and 50% achieved 120 min/day MVPA and 13,000 steps per day. No gender differences were found. The results of the analysis show a propensity for higher step volumes and PA values from Monday to Friday. In addition, subjects achieved higher step volumes and PA values during “School Time” than “Out-of-School Time”. Given that during “School Time” children showed higher PA and step values, schools represent an important place to help facilitate PA milestones. This study shows the need for further studies and interventions aimed at understanding and improving children’s PA levels at an early age.

Physical activity recommendations for early childhood are gradually being met to a lesser extent today. The objectives of the study were: (i) to assess the degree of compliance with physical activity (PA) recommendations by gender; and (ii) to analyze the level of PA and steps in different periods over a week. This study was an observational cross-sectional study. Sixty-three young children (33 boys and 30 girls) aged two years (2.15 ± 0.35) were recruited for this study. Participants wore a “Garmin vivofit^® jr.” activity tracker for seven days, collecting minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and step volume (Out-of-School Time and School Time). The results show a 50% compliance of the 120 min/day MVPA and 13,000 steps per day. No gender differences were detected. The findings in the analysis indicated a trend towards higher PA and steps at the Weekend. Moreover, participants reached higher PA and steps values “Out-of-School Time” than “School Time” (MVPA) (min/day). This study can provide strategies and motivational PA guidelines at school to enhance well-being at an early age. These activity trackers could stimulate more sustainable forms of urban mobility, such as walking, as the environment would accompany the child to meet daily PA recommendations.

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a crucial protein in the development of the cognitive system. It regulates the growth of neurons and glial cells, synaptic plasticity, and neuroprotection. Background/Objectives: It has been suggested that high-intensity exercise could modulate the mechanisms of BDNF release, with potentially significant implications in the professional sports world. However, this is not yet fully proven, and the underlying physiological alterations are unknown. Methods: This paper reviews the current scientific literature to clarify the uncertainties about how high-intensity physical exercise influences BDNF release and its relationship with high-performance sports. Results: Strenuous exercise appears to increase BDNF synthesis through the action of lactate and the PGC-1α/FNDC5 pathway. Additionally, cognitive function has been described as an element to consider for maximizing sports performance. Conclusions: In this regard, this review provides a solid starting point for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms that promote BDNF expression mediated by exercise, as well as for seeking a direct correlation between the role of cognitive development and athletic performance in high-performance athletes.

Los niveles de actividad física (AF) cada vez son más bajos. Las recomendaciones de 60 minutos de actividad física moderada-vigorosa (AFMV) y entre 10.000 y 16.000 pasos al día para niños y adolescentes, solo son cumplidas por grupos minoritarios. Los programas de intervención utilizando dispositivos inteligentes son una buena opción para el incremento de la AF. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la utilización de pulseras inteligentes para el incremento de AF en una muestra de un entorno rural. Un total de ocho estudiantes de entre 14 y 16 años participaron en este estudio. Los sujetos portaron una pulsera de actividad física Xiaomi Mi Band 4 durante dos semanas, donde se registró el número de pasos y los minutos de AFMV. La primera Semana de Control (S1), fue una semana de rutina escolar habitual. La segunda Semana de Intervención (S2), fue una intervención de promoción de la AF orientada al incremento de la misma por medio de retos. Los sujetos mostraron en la primera semana una media de 7.200 pasos/día y 173 minutos/día y, durante la segunda, una media de 12.300 pasos/día y 212 minutos/día de AFMV, mostrando así un aumento importante durante la segunda semana, respecto a la primera semana. Diferentes estudios muestran grandes incrementos de AFMV al aplicar programas de intervención, consiguiendo así que se cumplan las recomendaciones mínimas diarias de minutos de AFMV y de pasos. Se evidencia que las pulseras de AF influyen de manera positiva para el aumento de los niveles de AF, además de resultar un instrumento motivante para el alumnado.

Introducción: La práctica de actividad física (AF) es determinante en un estilo de vida saludable; unido a otros hábitos fundamentales como el tipo de alimentación. Objetivo: analizar la práctica de actividad física diaria en función del nivel de adherencia a la dieta mediterránea en estudiantes universitarios. Metodología: Se seleccionaron 40 estudiantes universitarios (19.13 ± 3.27 años), los cuales portaron la pulsera de AF Xiaomi Mi band 4 durante 7 días consecutivos registrando los minutos de actividad física moderada-vigorosa (AFMV) y el volumen de pasos. Se administró el cuestionario KIDMED para determinar el nivel de adherencia a la DM. Resultados: Los sujetos con media adherencia a la DM muestran más volumen de AF el fin de semana y el total de la semana, respecto al grupo de baja adherencia a la DM. Conclusión: Los estudiantes universitarios con una baja adherencia a la DM tienen una tendencia a realizar menos volumen de AF; lo que podría ser un punto de partida para la promoción de hábitos saludables desde programas universitarios.

The physical activity (PA) level in women, it seems, tends to decrease in adulthood. The aims of the study were: (i) to evaluate the degree of compliance with PA recommendations in young women university students and (ii) to measure steps and the level of PA in different periods during the week. Eighty-eight young adult girls (21.38 ± 2.71 years) were recruited for this study. Participants wore an “Actigraph GT3X” accelerometer for seven days, collecting minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and steps volume. The results show an 80% of compliance of the 10,000 steps per day and a 220% of compliance of the 300 min/week of MVPA. The analysis shows a trend towards higher steps and PA minutes at the Weekdays (steps/day, BF10 = 168.563, δ = 0.418; meeting recommendations 10,000 steps/day, BF10 = 168.563, δ = 0.419; MVPA minutes/day, BF10 = 10.648, δ = 0.323; meeting recommendations 300 min/week, BF10 = 10.648, δ = 0.324) and during the Out-of-University-Time (steps/day, BF10 = 1.387 × 10¹⁰, δ = −0.883; meeting recommendations 10,000 steps/day, BF10 = 1.387 × 10¹⁰, δ = −0.886; MVPA minutes/day, BF10 = 1.110 × 10¹⁵, δ = −1.138; meeting recommendations 300 min/week, BF10 = 1.1 × 10¹⁵, δ = −1.144). This study can provide strategies and motivational PA guidelines at university to enhance well-being in young female university students.