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Parents’ Perceptions on Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity among Schoolchildren: A Qualitative Study

Author

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  • Vanesa Alcántara-Porcuna

    (Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain)

  • Mairena Sánchez-López

    (Department of Physical, Artistic and Music Education Didactics, Faculty of Education, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Ciudad Real, Spain
    Social and Health Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain)

  • Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno

    (Social and Health Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain
    Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, 3460000 Talca, Chile)

  • María Martínez-Andrés

    (Social and Health Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain
    Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Nursing, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02006 Albacete, Spain)

  • Abel Ruiz-Hermosa

    (Department of Physical, Artistic and Music Education Didactics, Faculty of Education, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Ciudad Real, Spain
    Social and Health Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain)

  • Beatriz Rodríguez-Martín

    (Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain
    Social and Health Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Physioterapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain)

Abstract

Given that physical activity (PA) plays an important role in early childhood, understanding the factors that affect the practice of PA at an early age could help develop effective strategies for overcoming barriers and increasing activity levels in this age group. A qualitative study was conducted based on grounded theory aimed at exploring the perceptions of mothers and fathers from Cuenca and Ciudad Real (Castilla La Mancha, Spain) regarding barriers and facilitators of physical activity of their children during the adiposity rebound period. Data were collected using focus groups involving 46 parents of children in the 3rd grade of pre-school and 1st grade of elementary school. During the analysis, the socio-ecological model and grounded theory were used. The barriers encountered were the preferences of children for sedentary activities (individual factors), academic tasks as a main priority of parents, the influence of older siblings and the unfavorable school environment (microsystem), the lack of family conciliation (mesosystem), and barriers related to the built environment or lack of facilities for physical activity (exosystem). Facilitators were the preferences for active games (individual factors), parental models including the co-participation of parents in activities, the influence of friends, living in large homes, the support provided by teachers and the school (microsystem), living in rural areas, having sufficient facilities, favorable weather conditions (exosystem), and the existence of free or subsidized activities (macro system). Programs aimed at promoting PA in early childhood should include strategies that address contextual factors and not only focus on individual factors related to the child.

Suggested Citation

  • Vanesa Alcántara-Porcuna & Mairena Sánchez-López & Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno & María Martínez-Andrés & Abel Ruiz-Hermosa & Beatriz Rodríguez-Martín, 2021. "Parents’ Perceptions on Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity among Schoolchildren: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-27, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3086-:d:518802
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zuniga, Kelly Draper, 2012. "From barrier elimination to barrier negotiation: A qualitative study of parents' attitudes about active travel for elementary school trips," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 75-81.
    2. Christine A. Mitchell & Andrew F. Clark & Jason A. Gilliland, 2016. "Built Environment Influences of Children’s Physical Activity: Examining Differences by Neighbourhood Size and Sex," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, January.
    3. Webster, Collin A. & Zarrett, Nicole & Cook, Brittany S. & Egan, Cate & Nesbitt, Danielle & Weaver, R. Glenn, 2017. "Movement integration in elementary classrooms: Teacher perceptions and implications for program planning," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 134-143.
    4. María Martínez-Andrés & Raquel Bartolomé-Gutiérrez & Beatriz Rodríguez-Martín & María Jesús Pardo-Guijarro & Miriam Garrido-Miguel & Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno, 2020. "Barriers and Facilitators to Leisure Physical Activity in Children: A Qualitative Approach Using the Socio-Ecological Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-15, April.
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    1. Marta Gruca & Justyna Zamojska & Katarzyna Niewiadomska-Jarosik & Agnieszka Wosiak & Elżbieta Smolewska, 2021. "Evaluation of Health-Promoting Behaviors in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in the Preschool Children of Polish Health Care Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Romain Marconnot & Jorge Pérez-Corrales & Juan Nicolás Cuenca-Zaldívar & Javier Güeita-Rodríguez & Pilar Carrasco-Garrido & Cristina García-Bravo & Eva Solera-Hernández & Sonia Gutiérrez Gómez-Calcerr, 2021. "The Perspective of Physical Education Teachers in Spain Regarding Barriers to the Practice of Physical Activity among Immigrant Children and Adolescents: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Jorge Rojo-Ramos & María Mendoza-Muñoz & Antonio Castillo-Paredes & Carmen Galán-Arroyo, 2023. "Influence of Parental Perception of Child’s Physical Fitness on Body Image Satisfaction in Spanish Preschool Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-9, April.

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