Exploring the relationship between different modes of transportation and levels of physical activity among senior high school students of the University of Santo Tomas: a cross-sectional study protocol.

Introduction: Rapid changes in technology, communication and transportation prompted challenges in achieving the recommended level of physical activity. Although the students are returning for in-campus classes to promote more interaction and socialisation, the youth still fall short of living up to the desired level of physical activity. The mode of transportation plays a pivotal role in physical activity, yet its relationship is poorly elucidated. The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between the types of transportation and the level of physical activity among senior high school students aged 16-18 from the University of Santo Tomas.

Methods And Analysis: This will be an observational, cross-sectional, analytical study design. Participants' demographics and anthropometric measurements such as height, weight and hip and waist circumferences will be collected. To measure the variables of interest, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire will be used. Descriptive statistics will be used to characterise the samples using frequency, mean, median and SD, while inferential statistics such as analysis of variance for comparison and Pearson's and Spearman for correlation will be used. All analysis will be done using IBM Statistical Packages for Social Sciences V.23 with the significant level set at alpha 0.05.

Ethics And Dissemination: Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Santo Tomas-College of Rehabilitation Sciences Ethics Review Committee with the protocol number SI-2023-029. The study will comply with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, Ethical Guidelines on Health-Related Social Research of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board and the Data Privacy Act 2012. All results, regardless of outcome, whether positive or negative, will be accessible through publication and by reporting to the participant through email and other relevant authorities.