Physical activity patterns in adolescents: A longitudinal study.

da Penha Freire Silva, Juliana Maria; da Costa Silva, Eduarda Cristina; Mendonça, Gerfeson; Mota, Jorge; Hallal, Pedro C.; Cazuza de Farias Júnior, José

The present study aimed at describing and comparing the physical activity (PA) patterns of adolescents from a middle‐income country over a 4‐year period. This is a longitudinal observational study (four waves of data collection, 2014–2017) with 668 adolescents aged 10–13 years in 2014 (mean age of 11.8 ± 0.8 years), of both sexes (53.3% girls), from public schools in João Pessoa, Paraíba state, Brazil. PA was measured using a questionnaire and pattern operationally defined based on the following indicators: type, frequency, duration, and PA recommendations. The most practiced physical activities during the study period were active commuting, games, dancing, cycling, soccer, and futsal. There was a linear trend to a decline in the number of adolescents engaging in nearly all the physical activities, in the duration of activities and the proportion that met the PA recommendations (52.8% in 2014 to 32.2% in 2017). The adolescents engaged in different physical activities, but these declined over the years. Highlights: Physical activity (PA) pattern of adolescents included recreation, sport, and active commuting, with a high percentage of individuals not achieving the recommended health levels.There was a decline in the proportion of adolescents who engaged in PA, in addition to its duration and frequency, in active commuting, physical exercise, recreational activities, and sports, especially in girls.PA promotion programs for adolescents should consider including sports and recreational activities, associated with the availability of venues, materials, equipment, and professionals to provide support, guidance, and supervision.

BRAZIL; MIDDLE-income countries; EXERCISE; ADOLESCENT health; RESEARCH funding; SOCCER; SCIENTIFIC observation; SCHOOLS; QUESTIONNAIRES; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; LONGITUDINAL method; GAMES; CYCLING; DANCE; COMPARATIVE studies; PHYSICAL activity; LOW-income countries; ADOLESCENCE

European Journal of Sport Science, 2025, Vol 25, Issue 1, p1

1746-1391

Academic Journal

10.1002/ejsc.12239