Physical Activity in adolescents of different social economic levels

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the scholar Habitual Physical Activity of different social economic levels belonging to the Londrina Public High School, Paraná State, Brasil. The sample was selected randomly involving 95 adolescents, with 17,6 (±0,7) years of age. The physical activity level (PAL) was analyzed through the Habitual Physical Activity from PATE (1988), and the social economic level (SEL) by the Brazilian Association of Market Research -ABIPEME Questionnaire. The Descriptive statistics, Spearman Correlation Coefficient (r), and the Student “t” Test were used in the analysis of the study variables. A high proportion of adolescents was classified as moderately active and very active physically (59%), and the SEL did not influence in the PAL (p < 0,05) between economic classes. The C class presented a higher proportion in the categories moderately active and very active in relation to the B and A classes. However, 41% of adolescents were classified as inactive and less active, have a greater proportion in the A and B classes.