Measuring the physical activity in the EU using a fuzzy hybrid synthetic index and an ordered probit model

IntroductionPhysical activity can be measured by different attributes, such as sports activities, moderate exercise, or even walking time. The most recent Eurobarometer on Sport and Physical Activity included nine questions that permit physical activity measurement at the EU.MethodsThe study uses a...

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Main Authors: Juan Carlos Martín, Pedro Moreira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1582658/full
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author Juan Carlos Martín
Pedro Moreira
author_facet Juan Carlos Martín
Pedro Moreira
author_sort Juan Carlos Martín
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionPhysical activity can be measured by different attributes, such as sports activities, moderate exercise, or even walking time. The most recent Eurobarometer on Sport and Physical Activity included nine questions that permit physical activity measurement at the EU.MethodsThe study uses a Fuzzy Hybrid Analysis approach to calculate a synthetic index that measures the physical activity of EU citizens. The method is applied to the dataset obtained from a survey administered to a total of 26,578 respondents who represent the EU. Nine items measure the physical activity latent variable with an answer format based on three different semantic ordinal point scales.ResultsThe method provides a synthetic indicator at aggregated and individual levels. Seventeen covariates were used to analyze the main determinants of physical activity, particularly gender, age, education, social class, and political orientation.DiscussionThe results reveal that certain covariates influence the latent variable under study, providing interesting insights to inform the development of targeted programs that reduce physical inactivity in the EU.
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spelling doaj-art-db49feeecd7d411c8dec9c0cedffa6292025-08-20T02:47:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672025-07-01710.3389/fspor.2025.15826581582658Measuring the physical activity in the EU using a fuzzy hybrid synthetic index and an ordered probit modelJuan Carlos Martín0Pedro Moreira1nstitute of Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spainnstitute of Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, SpainIntroductionPhysical activity can be measured by different attributes, such as sports activities, moderate exercise, or even walking time. The most recent Eurobarometer on Sport and Physical Activity included nine questions that permit physical activity measurement at the EU.MethodsThe study uses a Fuzzy Hybrid Analysis approach to calculate a synthetic index that measures the physical activity of EU citizens. The method is applied to the dataset obtained from a survey administered to a total of 26,578 respondents who represent the EU. Nine items measure the physical activity latent variable with an answer format based on three different semantic ordinal point scales.ResultsThe method provides a synthetic indicator at aggregated and individual levels. Seventeen covariates were used to analyze the main determinants of physical activity, particularly gender, age, education, social class, and political orientation.DiscussionThe results reveal that certain covariates influence the latent variable under study, providing interesting insights to inform the development of targeted programs that reduce physical inactivity in the EU.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1582658/fullphysical activitysport participationwalkingmoderate exerciseeurobarometerfuzzy-hybrid analysis
spellingShingle Juan Carlos Martín
Pedro Moreira
Measuring the physical activity in the EU using a fuzzy hybrid synthetic index and an ordered probit model
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
physical activity
sport participation
walking
moderate exercise
eurobarometer
fuzzy-hybrid analysis
title Measuring the physical activity in the EU using a fuzzy hybrid synthetic index and an ordered probit model
title_full Measuring the physical activity in the EU using a fuzzy hybrid synthetic index and an ordered probit model
title_fullStr Measuring the physical activity in the EU using a fuzzy hybrid synthetic index and an ordered probit model
title_full_unstemmed Measuring the physical activity in the EU using a fuzzy hybrid synthetic index and an ordered probit model
title_short Measuring the physical activity in the EU using a fuzzy hybrid synthetic index and an ordered probit model
title_sort measuring the physical activity in the eu using a fuzzy hybrid synthetic index and an ordered probit model
topic physical activity
sport participation
walking
moderate exercise
eurobarometer
fuzzy-hybrid analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1582658/full
work_keys_str_mv AT juancarlosmartin measuringthephysicalactivityintheeuusingafuzzyhybridsyntheticindexandanorderedprobitmodel
AT pedromoreira measuringthephysicalactivityintheeuusingafuzzyhybridsyntheticindexandanorderedprobitmodel