Abstract

SANTOS, M. Paula; GOMES, Helena; RIBEIRO, José C.  and  MOTA, Jorge. Seasonal variations in Portuguese adolescents’ physical activity and leisure-time activities. Rev. Port. Cien. Desp. [online]. 2005, vol.5, n.2, pp.192-201. ISSN 1645-0523.

Understanding factors that influence adolescents’ physical activity is particularly important because it allows the identification of the personal attributes, social systems and the environment that are related to the active behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the seasonal variation in adolescent’s physical activity and in leisure-time activities. The sample comprised 444 adolescents of both sexes, aged between 12 and 18 years old. Physical activity and leisure-time activities were assessed by questionnaire (Telama et al.; Cloes et al.) at two different times in the same school year. The main results showed that girls are more active during spring/summer than during fall/winter period. Organized activities that were more frequently reported were "soccer" among boys and "gymnastics" among girls. Youngsters reported greater participation in these activities during spring/summer time. Non-organized physical activities had higher frequencies of participation, independently of sex, age group or the seasonal period.

Keywords : adolescents; physical activity; leisure time; seasons.

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