Characterization of Physical Activities Performed by Adolescents From Curitiba, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction Various studies have been developed and published in relation to the recommendations for physical activity and associated factors. However, there is a lack of studies that detail the places where physical activity is practiced, as well as its frequency, duration and volume. Objective To describe the places, types, frequency, duration and volume of physical activities performed by adolescents in Curitiba, Brazil. Methods A cross-sectional study conducted in 2013-2014, through a household survey with 495 adolescents (12 to 17 years). The places used, and the frequencies of the practice of physical activity were self-reported as either “goes” or “does not go.” The practice of physical activity was determined through the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents, by type, frequency, duration and weekly volume. The types of physical activity were described with frequency distribution, weekly frequency, duration, and volume, by the median and interquartile range. Gender comparison was tested with the Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests (p<0.05). Results The most frequently reported places for physical activity were public squares, parks, soccer fields, schools and sports halls. Soccer fields, schools, sports halls and skate parks were more used by boys, while girls attended gyms (p<0.05). The physical activities most practiced were soccer, skating/rollerblading, cycling, walking and active games. A higher proportion of boys practiced soccer, skating/rollerblading, cycling, running/jogging, and basketball (p<0.05), whereas the physical activities most practiced by girls were walking, walking the dog, dancing, playing games, and gyms (p<0.05). Sports (720 min/week), aerobic exercises (400 min/week) and conditioning exercises (345 min/week) were the activities with the highest weekly volume. Boys showed higher weekly frequency, duration and volume of practice of sports and active games than girls (p<0.05). Conclusion Public places with structures were the most used places, and sports were the most practiced activities. Level of Evidence III; Study of nonconsecutive patients; without consistently applied ‘‘gold’’ reference standard.

Prevalence and factors associated with active transportation to school for adolescents

“…Thus, our study targeted adolescents aged from 15 to 17 years. Active transportation to school (ATS) is an effective way of incorporating PA into daily activities and increasing adolescents’ overall PA levels 1 , 2 – especially during transition from late adolescence to young adulthood, a critical period for decreasing PA levels 16 – 18 . Mandic et al 19 , point that adolescents’ decision in adopting ATS may be influenced by several factors of personal, social, or environmental nature.…”

“…Other studies 1 – 4 also found a higher prevalence of active transportation among girls, but they are not unanimous, so these results should be interpreted with caution. Girls’ PA levels are lower than their peers in the context of leisure 18 , so transportation may be a way to increase girls’ PA. However, further research is required to investigate the prevalence of ATS considering gender.…”

“…Por esse motivo, este estudo buscou investigar adolescentes com idade entre 15 e 17 anos. O TAE é uma maneira eficaz de incorporar AF nas atividades diárias e aumentar os níveis gerais de AF 1 , 2 de adolescentes, em especial na transição do final da adolescência para a idade adulta jovem, pois esse período é considerado crítico e associado à diminuição da AF 16 – 18 . Mandic et al 19 apontam que diversos fatores têm potencial de influenciar a decisão dos adolescentes para a adoção do TAE, classificando-os entre os de caráter pessoal, social e ambiental.…”

“…Outros estudos 1 – 4 também encontraram uma maior prevalência de meninas no contexto do transporte, porém é preciso ter cautela na interpretação desses resultados, uma vez que os estudos não são unânimes. Entretanto, uma vez que no contexto do lazer os níveis de AF de meninas são inferiores a seus pares 18 , o transporte pode ser uma forma de promover AF no sexo feminino. Contudo, mais pesquisas que investiguem a prevalência do TAE considerando o sexo são necessárias.…”

Preferências de atividade física em adultos brasileiros: resultados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde

“…O presente estudo também apresenta pontos positivos como a descrição das frequências dos tipos de atividade entre os praticantes de atividade física em todo território nacional. Normalmente, estudos com praticantes de atividade física limitam-se a amostra locais 28,29 . A utilização de dados da PNS, que apresenta representatividade nacional, é um importante passo para compreender as preferências regionais por alguns tipos de atividade no país.…”