The study aimed to ascertain the levels of older European people’s physical activity according to sociodemographic variables. The sample size was 7,893 citizens aged 65 and over from the European Union. The participants were classified as physically inactive, adequately active, or highly active, according to the World Health Organization. The total metabolic equivalents of task minutes per week were also calculated. In the results, 55.5% of older people were adequately active, and 43.8% were highly active, especially in the North and West. The average metabolic equivalents of task minutes per week was 1,313 metabolic equivalents of task minutes, with walking as the main activity, followed by moderate physical activity and vigorous activity. Male older people of a lower age from the North and West, with a higher level of education and less difficulty in paying bills, were more likely to be physically active. As a conclusion, only slightly more than half the population were adequately active. These sociodemographic inequalities show the necessity of implementing specific measures.

Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to decrease physical activity (PA) levels. The purpose of the study was to explore the associations between age, gender, and exercise facilities-type membership and physical activity levels during COVID-19 lockdown among users of exercise facilities from Spain. Participants were recruited among the members of 84 exercise facilities across Spain. Data was collected through an online questionnaire between 5th and 20th of April 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. A total of 7062 participants met inclusion criteria and responded correctly to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Lower levels of total PA were found in women compared with men (β = -26, 95%CI: -40 to -13), and among older adults (β = -48, 95%CI: -10 to -85) compared with younger ones. Moreover, users of private facilities showed higher levels of PA (β = 40, 95%CI: 13 to 66) than those from low-cost and public facilities (reference). Lastly, women from private facilities showed greater levels of PA (β = 63, 95%CI: 29 to 96) than low cost and public's users, an increase higher than what was found in men (β = 7, 95%CI: -38 to 52). Therefore, gender, age and the type of exercise facility's subscription had a relevant influence on PA levels during COVID-19 lockdown in an active population. These findings are useful for public health recommendations, in order to identify subpopulations of previously active people at risk of being physically inactive during and after this pandemic.

La población europea practica insuficiente actividad físico-deportiva. Un posible factor influyente es la actividad laboral. El presente trabajo pretende conocer la asociación entre el cumplimento de las recomendaciones de la OMS y determinadas variables laborales utilizando los datos de la Encuesta Social Europea con una muestra de 18.240 trabajadores en activo de 20 países. Los resultados muestran que aquellas personas que trabajaban menos horas eran físicamente más activas. De igual forma, las largas jornadas de trabajo afectaban de forma más negativa a las mujeres y personas con ingresos bajos. La zona geográfica, los ingresos y la edad eran más condicionantes para la práctica de la actividad físico-deportiva que las propias horas de trabajo. Finalmente, la autonomía para organizar el trabajo diario podría contribuir a una mayor práctica de las mujeres.

ResumenEn relación a la población de las personas que desarrollan la función de docencia de las actividades físico-deportivas extraescolares en la Comunidad de Madrid, los objetivos del presente estudio pretenden describir y analizar la relación entre los tipos de contratos, los ingresos y las variables sociodemográficas. Esta investigación sigue una metodología cuantitativa, de corte transversal y descriptiva en una muestra de 350 personas. El muestro ha sido aleatorio por conglomerados aplicándose una entrevista estandarizada por medio de cuestionario. Los resultados del estudio muestran que existe relación significativa entre el tipo de contrato y la edad [x2 (6)= 17.462; p= .008; Φ=.616], la experiencia profesional y el sexo [x2 (36) = 79.047; p=.000; Φ= .475], los ingresos con el tipo de centro educativo donde se realiza la actividad [x2 (14) = 185.922; p=.000; Φ=.745] y el sexo [x2 (7)= 15.943; p=.026; Φ=.218]. Las conclusión final del estudio indica que la situación profesional de las personas que trabajan en este ámbito es bastante inestable y precaria.AbstractIn regard to the group of people carrying out the function of teaching extracurricular sport activities in Comunidad de Madrid, the aims of this study are to describe and analyse the relationship among contract, salary and demographic variables. The present study used a quantitative method. A cross-sectional study was performed by means of face-to-face interviews to a random sample of 350 teachers that completed a brief questionnaire. The results show a significant relationship between type contract and age [x2 (6)= 17.462; p= .008; Φ=.616], professional experience and gender [x2 (36) = 79.047; p=.000; Φ= .475], salary with type of school [x2 (14) = 185.922; p=.000; Φ=.745] and gender [x2 (7)= 15.943; p=.026; Φ=.218]. The general conclusión suggests that the professional situation of the people who work in this area is quite unstable and precarious.http://dx.doi.org/10.5232/ricyde2013.0310

Esta investigación examina el impacto de dos programas de ejercicio físico supervisado en el lugar de trabajo sobre el bienestar y los síntomas de depresión en personas con ocupaciones sedentarias. Las intervenciones se llevaron a cabo en tres empresas diferentes: una empresa de ingeniería de energías renovables, una compañía de seguros y una empresa de infraestructuras y servicios. Los programas tuvieron una frecuencia de tres y dos sesiones semanales respectivamente, orientadas a la mejora de la condición física general. La muestra de estudio fue de 54 trabajadores de las tres empresas. Se realizaron evaluaciones antes y después de las intervenciones para evaluar el impacto de los programas de ejercicio en el bienestar y en los síntomas depresivos. El bienestar se midió empleando el cuestionario SF-36 v2 (Alonso et al., 1995), y los síntomas depresivos con el cuestionario Escala de Depresión del Centro de Estudios Epidemiológicos (CES-D) (Radloff, 1977). El primer programa propició una reducción significativa del dolor corporal (p=0.024; η2=0.18) y mejoras en la salud física global, mientras que el segundo mostró mejoras significativas en la vitalidad. Ambos programas redujeron significativamente los síntomas de depresión. Estos hallazgos sugieren que la implementación de programas de ejercicio físico en entornos laborales podría ser efectiva para mejorar el bienestar y reducir los síntomas depresivos en personas con trabajos sedentarios. Esto podría impulsar la creación de servicios específicos de ejercicio físico en el ámbito laboral ofrecidos por empresas que promueven la actividad deportiva. Palabras clave: organización deportiva, calidad de vida, salud mental, entorno laboral, actividad física. This research examines the impact of two supervised exercise programs on the well-being and depression symptoms of employees with sedentary jobs. The actions took place in three corporations: a renewal power engineering company, an insurance company and an infrastructure and services company. These programs had a two-three days per week periodicity focused on the general physical condition. The sample included 54 participants from the three corporations. Pre- and post-evaluations took place to assess the impact of physical activity on the well-being of the employees and their depression symptoms. Well-being was measured with the SF-36 questionnaire v2 (Alonso et al., 1995), and the depressive symptoms with the Center of Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale (CES D) (Radloff, 1977). The first program results showed significant improvement regarding corporal pain (p=0.024; η2=0.18) and improvements in global health; the second program produces significant improvements on vitality. Both programs significantly reduced depression symptoms. Present findings suggest that the implementation of exercise programs in labour environments could be effective in improving well-being and decreasing depressive symptoms in employees with sedentary jobs. The creation of specific physical activity services in labour environments offered by companies promoting physical exercise could be boosted taking into consideration these findings. Keywords: sports management, quality of life, mental health, workplace, physical activity.

Esta investigación pretende conocer las barreras percibidas, así como posibles variables predictoras, en personas que practican actividad física en centros fitness que se encontraban confinadas en el hogar por la pandemia de COVID-19. La muestra estuvo conformada por 8.087 practicantes de actividad física. Se administró un cuestionario en línea por correo electrónico. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las barreras percibidas y un análisis de regresión logística para determinar posibles variables predictoras. Las barreras percibidas más importantes fueron el precio y la suerte de la seguridad. La edad, el sexo, la frecuencia de práctica física vigorosa y la observación de las recomendaciones de la OMS serían las variables predictoras en mayor medida de las barreras percibidas. Los resultados son relevantes para que las organizaciones deportivas planifiquen su oferta de servicios después del confinamiento. This research intends to know the perceived barriers, as well as their predictor variables, in people who practice Physical Activity in fitness centers and were home confined due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample was conformed of 8,087 physical activity practitioners. An online questionnaire was administered by email. A descriptive analysis of the perceived barriers was done, and logistic regression analysis to determine possible predictor variables. The most important perceived barriers were price and a luck of security. Age, gender, the vigorous physical practice frequency and the observation of the WHO recommendations would be the predictor variables to a larger extend for the perceived barriers. The results are relevant for sport organizations to plan their services offer post lockdown. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo conhecer as barreiras percebidas, bem como possíveis variáveis ​​preditivas, em pessoas que praticam atividade física em academias de ginástica que ficaram confinadas em casa pela pandemia do COVID-19. A amostra foi composta por 8.087 praticantes de atividade física. Um questionário online foi administrado por e-mail. Uma análise descritiva das barreiras percebidas e uma análise de regressão logística foram realizadas para determinar possíveis variáveis ​​preditoras. As barreiras percebidas mais importantes foram o preço e a sorte na segurança. Idade, sexo, frequência de prática física vigorosa e observância das recomendações da OMS seriam as variáveis ​​preditoras em maior extensão das barreiras percebidas. Os resultados são relevantes para que as organizações esportivas planejem sua oferta de serviços após o confinamento.