The attitudes of secondary school students face of physical activity. A study in the central region of Portugal

Abstract

Several epidemiological studies have shown the importance of physical activity proving its contribution to a healthy lifestyle and individual wellness. In this sense, it is important that young people acquire knowledge, taste and motivation for physical activity and make their practice a lifestyle. The adoption of protective health behaviors in children and adolescents, promoting a life with more quality, can also determine a healthier lifestyle in adulthood and old age. In this context, attitudes are of great importance, because they can predict the motivation for learning and involvement of young people in physical and sports activities.The objective of this study is to evaluate the attitudes of high school students toward physical activity and identify the factors that interfere with them. We developed a study non - experimental, descriptive, analytical, cross and quantitative.We selected a non-probability sample accessibility, consisting of high school students, a school at the center of Portugal, consisting of 95 students aged 15 to 23 years, mean age of 17.48 years. In data collection, we used a questionnaire sociodemographic and a translated scale and validated in the Portuguese population to access attitudes towards physical activity and sport, Actitudes Scale hacia la Actividad Physics y el Deporte, developed by Dosil (2002). Students who have more positive attitudes towards physical activity, are the younger students, male gender, attending the scientific and humanistic course, alcohol consumers, practicing physical activity and your pair group practice physical activity.