Objective

This study aimed to describe relationships between the time adolescents born extremely prematurely spend in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and selected sociodemographic, prematurity and co-morbidity factors.

Material/patients and methods

Participants were 64 adolescents, 16.1 ± 2.5 years old (57.8% girls), who were born < 30 weeks gestation. They each wore an accelerometer over the right hip for up to seven days in order to establish their time spent in MVPA. Sociodemographic, prematurity and co-morbidity variables were ascertained from questionnaires and, for movement competency, from the results of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children–Second Edition. Data were analysed using linear regression techniques with an alpha level of 0.05.

Results

Participants spent on average 41.6 ± 26.8 minutes per day in MVPA. The multiple regression analysis showed that participants who were older (β = –4.52, P < .001), female (β = 14.18, P = 014), with a marked movement difficulty (β = 18.64, P = .014), with at least one health problem (β = 11.78, P = .036) and without hyperactive behavior (trend only, β = 2.04, P = .099) spent less time in MVPA. Together these variables explained 44.4% of the variance in mean daily time spent in MVPA.

Discussion–conclusion

From a health promotion perspective, the results of this study raise several important points. Physical activity programs that target females and older adolescents may be especially relevant to this group. However, programs designed for the general adolescent population may not be appropriate for all adolescents born prematurely in need of such programs, especially if the movement skill level is too demanding for those with marked movement difficulties or if health problems preclude their participation in a group activity. In some cases, an individual program or a program with adolescents with a similar movement skill level or health profile may be more appropriate. To conclude, regardless of the type of program, the results of this study suggest that physical activity interventions for this group should especially target those who are older, female, with health problems, and with marked movement difficulties.