The Physical Education Professional's Insertion in the Recovery Plan for Resident Addicts in the Campo Grande Therapeutic Communities – MS

Abstract

Physical activity can be used as a strategy in the recovery of addicts, especially in activities focused on education and leisure since it helps to control stress and anxiety. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the insertion and to verify the acceptance of the Physical Education professional in the recovery process of addicts living in the seven therapeutic communities in the city of Campo Grande (Capital of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil). To achieve this objective, the coordinators and resident monitors answered a semi-structured questionnaire prepared by the researchers, consisting of 10 questions, 6 objectives in which the participants indicated the level of importance in relation to the inquiry and 4 subjective questions with the intention of investigating the modalities of physical activity most practiced in Therapeutic Communities (TCs) and other pertinent subjects. The results showed that the participants think it is very important to perform physical activity in the treatment of addicts and believe that the presence of the Physical Education professional to conduct such activities is also valid. In the CTs with this professional (n=1) the activities mentioned were weight training, soccer and stretching while in the others (n=6) running, stretching, walking, soccer, volleyball, workout gymnastics and group games were described. It was concluded that there is a very positive inclination toward the acceptance of the physical education professional in the recovery plan of addicts even in communities where there is no presence of this professional acting.