Capacidad Aeróbica, Nivel de Actividad Física y Etapas de Cambio, en Adolescentes Chilenos: Un estudio trasversal

Abstract

he study aimed to determine the relationship between aerobic capacity, physical activity level, and stages of change in Chilean adolescents during the post-pandemic period, evaluating its impact on physical activity patterns and recovery after mobility restrictions. This is a quantitative cross-sectional study with a sample of 93 students with an average age of 14.8 ± 0.5 years. Aerobic capacity was assessed using the six-minute walk test (6MWT), while physical activitylevel (PAL) was determined through the PAQ-A questionnaire. Additionally, a questionnaire was used to identify the stages of change related to physical activity. The results showed that 70,5% of the participants had low aerobic capacity; 48.9% reached a moderate physical activity level, and 35.2% were in the action and maintenance stages regarding the stages of change. In conclusion, despite positive results regarding PAL and the adolescents' stages of change (action and maintenance), the low aerobic capacityobserved in most adolescents highlights the need to design specific programs that promote increased physical activity.