PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PRACTICE OF ADOLESCENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Physical activity plays an important role in adolescence, being considered an indicator of the current and future health status of young-adults. COVID-19 restrictions seem to have reverberated on the practice of physical activity (FAP) of adolescents. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the FAP of adolescents and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 287 adolescents. The level of physical activity was measured using a questionnaire and considered physically active if >300 minutes/week. They were evaluated questions related to self-perception of health, sociodemographic profile, and behavioral factors. Prevalence ratios (PR) and intervals with 95% confidence (95%CI) were estimated using multiple Poisson regression models with robust variance. It was verified that during the pandemic 34.8% of adolescents were insufficiently active. In the adjusted analysis remained associated the following variables: sex (PR=1.12; 95%CI1.05-1.20; p=0.001), health perception (PR=1.08; 95%CI1.01-1. 14; p=0.014), change in FAP (PR=1.13; 95%CI1.06-1.20; p=0.000) and time watching TV (PR=1.09; 95%CI1.02-1.16; p=0.006). It was observed a high prevalence of insufficiently active adolescents. Female adolescents, with a negative perception of health, which reduced their FAP during the pandemic and with excessive time in front of TV, were more likely to be insufficiently active.