Danças urbanas como estímulo para a prática de exercício físico e gasto energético em crianças e adolescentes

Abstract

Insufficient physical activity is a common problem among children and adolescents, posing risks to their physical health. On the other hand, urban dance presents itself as a promising alternative to motivate this population to engage in physical activity, due to its attractive, versatile, and adaptive nature. Objective: To analyze whether urban dance has attractive potential and is capable of mobilizing children and adolescents to practice physical exercise, increasing their energy expenditure. Methodology: An integrative literature review, framed within the research line of Sports and Health Sciences. The search for scientific articles was conducted in the Web of Science database, considering: keywords according to the PICo strategy, publications between 2010 and 2025; in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Five studies were selected and included in this research. Results: The results of the analyzed studies demonstrate that urban dances are a resource to stimulate the practice of physical exercise and, consequently, to increase the body's energy expenditure in the studied population. Furthermore, urban dances promote secondary outcomes, such as improvements in social and family aspects, cognitive and psychological aspects, among others. Conclusions: Urban dances present an attractive potential to mobilize children and adolescents to practice physical exercise.