Importance of training volume through the use of step trackers apps promoted from the subject of physical education to change body composition, physical fitness and physical activity in adolescents and the influence of gender

• Published in: Physiology & behavior 2024-01, Vol.273, p.114402-114402, Article 114402
• Main Authors: Mateo-Orcajada, Adrián, Vaquero-Cristóbal, Raquel, Abenza-Cano, Lucía
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0031-9384; 1873-507X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114402

The aim of the present study was to determine the changes in physical activity level (PA), kinanthropometric and derived variables, and physical fitness in adolescents, as a result of an out-of-school intervention with mobile step tracker apps promoted from the field of physical education, according to the volume of training completed and gender. A randomized controlled trial was carried out with 400 adolescents (210 males and 190 females) aged 12 to 16 years old (mean age: 13.96 ± 1.21 years-old). Adolescents were divided into experimental group (EG) (n = 240) and control group (CG) (n = 160). Two measurements were carried out, separated by a 10-week intervention, and PA, kinanthropometric variables and physical condition were measured. During the intervention, EG must use Strava (n = 74); Pokémon Go (n = 59); Pacer (n = 60); and MapMyWalk (n = 47) a minimum of 3 times per week, covering an incremental distance from 7,000 steps per day (week 1) to 12,500 steps per day (week 10). After that, EG were divided in quartile according to the volume of training completed. The results obtained showed a significant increase between pre-and post in PA (p = 0.009-0.044) and curl-up (p