Prática de atividade física, comportamento sedentário e hábitos de jogos eletrônicos de adolescentes pós pandemia da COVID-19

Abstract

The social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has generated numerous changes in the habits of adolescents, such as increased sedentary behavior, increased screen time and physical inactivity, but it is not known whether these habits remain in the post-pandemic period. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the practice of electronic games, physical activity and sedentary behavior of adolescents after the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, the sample was composed of parents and/or legal representatives of adolescents between 10 and 14 years of age, of both genders, who agreed with the Free and Informed Consent Form (TCLE) of the present research. The questionnaire consisted of socioeconomic issues, habits of playing electronic games and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program (SPSS Windows), version 13.0®. RESULTS: The total sample consisted of 39 participants, most of whom were female (64.1%), all of whom make frequent use of electronic games, mainly through cell phones (66.7%), spending an average of 107 minutes a day on this equipment. Most teenagers are very active (38.5%). There was no correlation between playing time per day with age at which the game started, with the level of physical activity, with sedentary behavior on the weekend and with the metabolic equivalent. In addition, the results show that participants who play for more than 2 hours a day are 3.4 times more likely to be less active/sedentary. CONCLUSION: After the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents showed high levels of physical activity and regular use of electronic games, and an association was observed between playing time and sedentary lifestyle/low physical activity.