El desplazamiento activo al Centro educativo influye en el rendimiento académico de las adolescentes españolas (Active commuting to school influences on academic performance of Spanish adolescent girls)

El desplazamiento activo se define como la accion de dirigirse al Centro educativo por medio de transportes que conlleven gasto metabolico, como andar o usar la bicicleta. El tiempo medio diario de desplazamiento activo en adolescentes es de 18 minutos, y podria incrementar un 13% la actividad fisica total diaria. El desplazamiento activo se ha asociado a una mejor salud y rendimiento cognitivo. Sin embargo, los estudios que analizan la asociacion entre desplazamiento activo y rendimiento academico son muy escasos. El objetivo fue analizar el grado de asociacion del desplazamiento activo con el rendimiento academico en Matematicas, Lengua, Educacion Fisica y con el rendimiento academico general ___ promedio de Matematicas, Lengua y Educacion Fisica ___ en adolescentes. En el presente estudio transversal participaron 1.006 adolescentes espanoles. El modo de desplazamiento se evaluo mediante cuestionario y para el rendimiento academico se solicito a los institutos las calificaciones numericas. Los adolescentes se clasificaron en inactivos (empleaban transporte motorizado o realizaban menos de cinco trayectos/semana andando durante mas de 15 minutos), y activos (realizaban ≥ cinco trayectos/semana andando mas de 15 minutos). Se realizaron analisis de regresion lineal y ANCOVA ajustados por edad e Indice de Masa Corporal. Los resultados mostraron que las chicas que realizan un mayor numero de desplazamientos activos semanales tenian un mayor rendimiento academico en Matematicas (s=0,041±0,019, p=0,036), en Educacion Fisica (s=0,029±0,013, p=0,029), y mayor rendimiento academico general (s=0,031±0,014, p=0,027). En chicos, ninguna asociacion resulto significativa (todos p>0,05). Se concluye que desplazarse al instituto andando, al menos cinco trayectos semanales de mas de 15 minutos, se relaciona con mayores calificaciones en Matematicas en las chicas adolescentes. Fomentar el desplazamiento activo, desde el ambito escolar y familiar puede ser potencialmente relevante para mejorar el rendimiento academico en chicas espanolas de Educacion Secundaria. Abstract. Active commuting is defined as the action of going to school using a means of transportation that implies energy consumption, such as walking or cycling. Daily average time of active commuting in adolescents is 18 minutes, and this time could increase the total daily physical activity account by 13%. Active commuting has been associated with better health and cognitive performance. However, studies examining the association between active commuting and academic performance are scarce. Based on the above statements, the aim was to analyse the association between active commuting to school and academic performance in Maths, Spanish Language, Physical Education and general academic performance ___ mean of Math, Language and Physical Education ___ in adolescents. 1,006 Spanish youths participated in the present cross-sectional study. We used a weekly questionnaire to assess active commuting, whereas we requested academic marks in order to track academic performance. Adolescents were classified as inactive (using passive transport or walking 15’ or more less than five times a week) and active (walking 15’ or more at least six times a week). Linear regression and ANCOVA analyses adjusted by age and body mass index were performed. Our results showed that girls who carry out a higher number of weekly active trips to school had higher Maths and Physical Education marks (s=0,041±0,019, p=0,036; s=0,029±0,013, p=0,029, respectively), and better general academic performance (s=0,031±0,014, p=0,027). There were no associations in boys (all p>0,05). Commuting actively to school for more than 15’ a day at least five times a week is associated with better Math performance in adolescent girls. Promotion of active commuting from both school staff and families could be potentially relevant to improve academic performance in Spanish Secondary school girls.