The aim was to examine the effects of a multicomponent school-based intervention on psychological correlates of physical activity (PA) in physical education (PE) and leisure-time PA settings. Two hundred and ten students (M = 13.06 ± 0.61) were assigned either to a control or an experimental school. Curricular and extracurricular PA actions were developed during one academic year to empower adolescents to be active by themselves. Experimental school students reported significant improvements in almost all psychological determinants and correlates of PA in PE and leisure-time PA settings, when compared to both control school students and their own baseline values. Results highlight the importance of developing multicomponent school-based interventions that involve the school community to improve students’ motivational outcomes in PE and leisure-time PA contexts.

Adolescents' objectively assessed physical activity (PA) patterns during specific segments of the day remain unclear. In order to develop a clearer understanding this study examined country and gender differences in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels during specific segments of weekdays and weekend days, and explored the contribution of each segment to PA guidelines. Morpho‐demographic, socio‐economic and PA data were collected from a sample of 829 French and Spanish adolescents (45.0% Spanish; 55.2% females; 14.33±.73 years). Actigraph GT3X accelerometers were worn for seven days to assess adolescents' MVPA for three segments of weekdays (school‐travel‐time, school‐time, and non‐school‐time), and weekend days (morning‐time, afternoon‐time and night‐time). Data were analysed using multilevel modelling. The most active segments were non‐school‐time (29.2±17.5 min) and school‐time (25.8±14.2 min) during weekdays, and morning‐time (28.2±25.8 min) on weekend days. Except for school‐time, Spanish adolescents were more significantly active than French adolescents during all segments. Significant gender differences were found in all segments. Country differences highlight the need to recognise cultural contexts that influence adolescents' PA. Common European‐wide strategies may be insufficient to increase MVPA levels if cultural variability is not considered. Spanish and French PA intervention programmes should target girls and low‐active boys during non‐school‐time and weekends.

Despite a consensus emerging that affirms that shorter epochs should be used in youth to correctly register physical activity levels in free-living conditions, little is known about its effect on children’s physical activity conducted in structured periods of time. This study analyzed the effect that epoch length (1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60s) may have on different physical activity intensities in physical education lessons. A sample of 1912 individual measures of physical education lessons were measured with a GT3X accelerometer. Data were collected from 1227 Swiss Elementary school students recruited in 17 elementary schools. PE lessons lasted from 45 minutes to one and a half hours. Data, originally collected in 1-s epoch, were then reintegrated into 2s, – 3s – 5s – 10s – 15s – 30s –60s epochs. Longer epochs were associated with higher levels of light (F = 8197.6, p < .001), moderate (F = 2708.17, p < .001), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (F = 888.08, p < .001). However, longer epochs showed lower levels of sedentary activity (F = 31714.33, p < .001) and vigorous physical activity (F = 1910.97, p < .001). Bias increased in all PA intensities when shorter epochs were compared with longer epochs. There were statistically significant differences in compliance with physical education guidelines (χ2 = 989.27, p<.001), showing higher levels with longer epochs. PA context may have some influence on the effects that epoch length have on PA estimates, more specifically on MVPA. Nevertheless, the use of a high-frequency sampling interval should be used to more accurately assess children’s PA.

Novelty satisfaction has recently been associated with positive outcomes in physical education (PE) lessons. Grounded in self-determination theory, this study aimed to examine the relationships between need-supportive teaching behaviours in PE and students’ satisfaction of basic psychological needs (BPNs), novelty satisfaction, and intention to be physically active. From a final sample of 1118 students (49.1% boys; 50.9% girls; mean age = 14.11 ± 1.50 years), the adolescents’ perception of need-support from PE teachers, BPN satisfaction, novelty satisfaction, and intention to be physically active were measured through different validated questionnaires. Results from structural equation modelling showed that students’ perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness support from PE teachers positively predicted BPN and novelty satisfaction. Furthermore, BPN and novelty satisfaction positively predicted intention to be physically active. Our results seem to support the argument that need-supportive environments could be directly associated with novelty satisfaction. Likewise, novelty satisfaction seems to have an additional role in explaining intention to be physically active. These findings suggest the importance of designing need-supportive strategies in PE lessons to satisfy not only BPNs but also novelty, which can help to develop an active lifestyle among adolescents. Nevertheless, future research should also develop specific strategies aimed at supporting students’ novelty in PE lessons.