This study aimed to characterize and compare physical activity (PA) and fitness levels
by sex in 109 students of a rural environment. The participants were between 15 and 20 years old,
from the Santa Maria High School in the Azores’ Santa Maria island. PA levels were assessed by
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)-short form. The physical fitness was evaluated
by the Fitnessgram battery tests. The sample of this study were physically active, 67.9% were classified
with high and moderate PA levels. Regarding the sex comparisons, no significant differences between
PA levels were founded. However, males presented higher values of vigorous physical activity,
whereas females spent more time in moderate activity, such as walking. Moreover, females had more
time in sitting positions during the week and weekend. Regarding the physical fitness levels, males
presented significantly higher performances in the upper strength (p < 0.001) and aerobic capacity
tests (p < 0.001), whereas females showed higher values in the sit and reach test (p < 0.001), in the
trunk lift test (p < 0.005), and in the fat mass values (p < 0.001). It seems reasonable to assume that
there is a sociodemographic influence on the PA and physical fitness levels in our sample. We may
speculate that rural life provides more opportunities for youth for being physically active than urban
life. No differences were founded between sexes for physical activity. However, differences were
found between sex for strength, flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition. That
might be explained by the biological differences and the type of physical activity habits that each sex
use to have in rural environmental.
This work is supported by National Funds through FCT—Foundation for Science and
Technology under the project UID04045/2020 and was approved by the Education Regional Direction
with process number DSP/15-29.
