Padrões de prática de atividade física em adolescentes: um estudo longitudinal

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to describe and compare patterns of physical activity (PA) practice over a 4-year period in adolescents. This is a longitudinal observational study that collected data from 2014 to 2017 (one data collection per year) with 668 adolescents, aged 10 to 13 years (mean of 11.8 ± 0.8 years; 53.3% female, in 2014), from public schools in João Pessoa, Paraíba. PA practice was measured using a questionnaire and practice standards were operationally defined by the following indicators: type, frequency, duration (by type and practice groups, and total time per week), meeting the practice recommendation (420 minutes/ week) and participate in physical education classes. The Generalized Estimating Equations – GEE were used to compare PA pattern indicators over the years. In all years, the most practiced physical activities were: active commuting, recreational activities (games, dancing and cycling) and sports (soccer and futsal). There was a linear trend of reduction in the percentage of practitioners in almost all activities, in the duration of practice, in the proportion of those who met the recommendation and in participation in physical education classes. Adolescents engaged in different types of physical activity, with emphasis on active commuting, recreational and sports activities, and there was a reduction in participation, duration of practice and proportion of physically active adolescents over the years.