Nível de atividade física, dispêndio energético e composição corporal de futuros professores de educação física: associação e comparação entre sexos e ingressantes e concluintes

Abstract

Objective: To analyze whether there is an association and/or difference between sex and course period for the level of physical activity, energy expenditure, and body composition of future physical education teachers. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional, and analytical study was conducted with 242 students of the physical education course. The level of physical activity and respective energy expenditure were estimated based on the IPAQ (short version). Body composition was estimated according to the skinfold thickness protocol proposed by Petroski (1995). Results: There is an association between female sex and not meeting the minimum physical activity guidelines (p=0.010). A higher percentage of graduating students (31.3%), compared to beginners (16.8%), present a low level of physical activity; thus, there is an association between being a graduating student and not meeting the minimum physical activity guidelines (p=0.012). Energy expenditure values in METs were higher in the male group (p<0.001) and in the group of beginners (p=0.007) compared to the female and graduating groups, respectively. Conclusions: Significant association between physical activity level, sex, and course period. Women and graduating students had a higher proportion of individuals who did not meet the physical activity guidelines. Energy expenditure was higher among men and graduating students. Women had a higher percentage of fat mass, and men had higher muscle and total mass.