Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the correlation between physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) of Physical Education (PE) undergraduates over a year in the program. Methods: A quantitative and longitudinal study, involving all students of associates’s degree (day and evening) and bachelor's degree programs of the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) in 2014 (n=115) and their follow-up in 2015. The first data collection occurred at the beginning of the first semester and the follow-up, after one year in the program. PA and SB were assessed by means of the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and data analysis was performed using Pearson’s correlation test. Results: The PA of the students presented a high median in the first and second analysis, and their SB showed a high mean in the baseline and in the follow-up. No correlation was evidenced between PA and SB at the baseline (r=-0.02). However, after one year, a weak but positive correlation was identified (r=0.12). Conclusion: The correlation between sedentary behavior and physical activity evaluated in both periods was weak, but a timid increase over a year was perceived.
Highlights
Insufficient physical activity (PA) or physical inactivity represents one of the four major risk factors for noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs)(1)
A recent study with more than one million individuals found that high levels of moderate or vigorous PA (60-75 min/day) seem to eliminate the high risk of mortality associated with sitting for long periods of time
The great majority of students had white skin color (87%); 27.8% were in the second lowest income quartile and about 86% were single
Summary
Insufficient physical activity (PA) or physical inactivity represents one of the four major risk factors for noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs)(1). Sedentary behavior (SB), defined as any activity with an energy expenditure of less than 1.5 METs (one MET, or metabolic equivalent, is equivalent to the energy expenditure of a resting person) and in sitting/reclining posture[5], when in excess, is a risk factor for NCDs and mortality, especially related to cardiovascular conditions[6]. Both present risks in common, PA and SB are independent behaviors. About the habit of watching television, the results are similar; a high level of PA decreases but does not eliminate the risk of mortality in individuals who watch television five or more hours a day[8]
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