The relationship between theory and practice in Physical Education

Physical education (PE) practiced in the early stages of life contributes to psychomotor development, promotes healthy lifestyles, and influences metabolic variables. Currently, high levels of sedentary lifestyles prevail, and unhealthy habits significantly impact lifestyle; consequently, the metabolic state of human beings is altered throughout their life cycle. Given the limited information on the associations between these variables, the present study was conducted to analyze the relationships among physical education, psychomotor skills, and lifestyle habits in women and men at the pre-adolescent and adolescent stages in a central region of Mexico. Seven hundred and twenty-four students participated in a representative sample of 19,000 participants from the municipal sports initiation schools of León, comprising two age groups: pre-adolescents (12 to 15 years of age) and adolescents (16 to 19 years of age), of both sexes. Males in the pre-adolescent and adolescent groups had higher values for glucose, cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, very low-density lipoproteins, and high-density lipoproteins. The physical activity variables were significantly related by a multiple correlation model (R² = 0.49; p < 0.05). Perception of physical activity through physical education had a score range of 4-8 out of 10 points. The psychomotor movement test in the Illinois test yielded values between 40% and 72%, which are considered low. In conclusion, the metabolic variables of glucose and lipids had values unsuitable for their age, and males had the highest values. Participants in sports programs need to have a greater understanding of their metabolic variables, adopt healthy lifestyles, and develop better psychomotor skills from an early stage of life.