This intervention study investigates the effects of teacher autonomy support on basic psychological needs, self-determined motivation for giving physical education classes and satisfaction from engaging in physical activity. The sample consisted of 61 students (32 in the experimental group and 29 in the control group), aged 12 to 14 years. Two physical education teachers were part of the group, one who was trained to give autonomy-support classes and the other used the usual class model. The experimental group teacher gave classes based on the autonomy support style, while his control group counterpart did not follow any model. The students, assessed before and after the 8-month intervention, were measured for perception of interpersonal teaching style, basic psychological needs, self-determined motivation and satisfaction from engaging in physical activity. The results showed that the experimental group exhibited higher indices for autonomy, competence and relatedness, self-determined motivation and satisfaction from engaging in physical activity, when compared to the control group. The study provides evidence of the effectiveness of programs that support autonomy in physical education classes, emphasizing the importance of pedagogical strategies and educational programs that promote the development of basic psychological needs, self-determined motivation and its positive consequences in relation to physical education classes.

This longitudinal study explored patterns of basic psychological needs and self-determined motivation, as well as its association with the teaching style and the physical activity enjoyment in a group of students. The sample consisted of 200 secondary education students (105 girls and 95 boys) aged 11 to 13 years (M = 12.65, SD = 0.79) at the start of the study. Students were assessed twice in a 22 month-period. Descriptive analyses were conducted between major variables at both time points, and to explore the number and nature of clusters, we relied on latent profile analysis. The statistical analyses showed three different patterns: downward, stable and upward, with different outcomes and determinants. The downward pattern was associated with more negative enjoyment and a controlling style, while the upward pattern with more positive enjoyment and autonomy support. This study, which was based on a person-centered approach, provided a bigger picture of the interplay between autonomy, competence, relatedness, self-determined motivation, autonomy/control support, and physical activity enjoyment.

The aim of this study was to identify the motivational profile and relate it to teacher autonomy support, basic psychological needs, exercise enjoyment, and level of physical activity in a sample of 615 Brazilian adolescents (327 girls and 288 boys), aged between 12 and 14 years (M = 13.3, DT = .79). One group was identified as more self-determined with high intrinsic motivation and introjected regulation scores, while the other showed no self-determination, with high external regulation and demotivation. Self-determined adolescents perceive greater teacher support; exhibit better fulfillment of basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness; show greater enjoyment in physical education classes and engage in more physical activity. KeywordsMotivation; self-determination; physical activity; adolescents. RESUMENEl objetivo fue identificar el perfil motivacional y relacionarlo con el apoyo docente a la autonomía, a las necesidades psicológicas básicas, la satisfacción para la práctica de actividades físicas y el nivel de actividad física, en una muestra de 615 adolescentes. Se obtuvo un grupo con "perfil autodeterminado" con puntuación más alta de la motivación intrínseca y regulación introyectada; y un grupo con "perfil no autodeterminado" con puntuaciones elevadas de regulación externa y desmotivación. Los adolescentes con perfil más autodeterminado son los que perciben mayor apoyo docente a la autonomía; ; presenta más satisfacción con las necesidades psicológicas básicas de autonomía, competencia y relación con los demás; sienten mayor satisfacción para la práctica de educación física y practican más actividad física. Palabras claveMotivación; autodeterminación; actividad física; adolescentes.

Background: Obesity is a health condition that causes a great impact on public health. The aim of this study was to determine the association between dermatoglyphic characteristics and excessive weight in children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 years in the center-west region of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Methods: The sample comprised of 2,172 children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old of both sexes and from public and private teaching networks. Results: The results suggested a predictive marker of obesity, with a greater number of lines in left hand finger two (Mesql2) and a higher frequency of the whorl pattern in participants of a healthy weight, while the overweight group had a higher frequency of the radial loop pattern and the obese group had a higher frequency of the ulnar loop pattern. Conclusion: It was concluded that there may be different dermatoglyphic characteristics depending on the nutritional status of children and adolescents.