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Physical activities practicing among scholar professors: focus on their quality of life

La práctica de actividades física realizada por los docentes de la enseñanza universitaria: Enfoque en la calidad de vida

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the practice of physical activity among scholar professors focusing on their quality of life.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was carried out with 121 professors at one of the campuses of a state university in the State of Paraná, using a questionnaire created by Baecke and adapted for the study.

Results:

The analyzed group presented a level of inadequate physical activity of 54.4%, with mean body mass of 26.20, considered overweight.

Conclusion:

The study indicated that professors do not practice physical activity at the level recommended by the World Health Organization; therefore, they are, for the most part, sedentary and have complaints of anxiety. It is advisable to carry out actions aimed at the health of the professors, directed to the modification in the lifestyle, with regular practice of physical activities and balanced diet, for the improvement of the quality of life.

Keywords:
Physical activity; Professors; Worker's health; Overweight

Resumen

Objetivo:

Investigar la práctica de actividad física realizada por los docentes universitarios enfocando la calidad de vida.

Métodos:

Estudio transversal, realizado con 121 docentes, en uno de los campus de una universidad estadual del Estado de Paraná, en el que se utilizó un cuestionario creado por Baecke, adaptado para el estudio.

Resultados:

El grupo analizado presentó un nivel de actividad física inadecuado de 54,4%, con media de masa corporal 26,20, lo que es considerado como sobrepeso.

Conclusión:

El estudio indicó que los docentes no practican actividad física a nivel de lo preconizado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, siendo mayoritariamente sedentarios y presentando quejas de ansiedad. Se aconseja la realización de acciones direccionadas a la salud de los docentes, para que modifiquen su estilo de vida, con la realización de actividades físicas regulares y una dieta balanceada, para así mejorar la calidad de vida.

Palabras-clave:
Actividad física; Docentes; Salud del trabajador; Sobrepeso

Resumo

Objetivo:

Investigar a prática de atividade física em docentes universitários com foco na qualidade de vida.

Métodos:

Estudo transversal, realizado com 121 docentes, em um dos campi de uma universidade estadual do Estado do Paraná, utilizando questionário criado por Baecke e adaptado para o estudo.

Resultados:

O grupo analisado apresentou nível de atividade física inadequado de 54,4%, com média de massa corporal 26,20, considerado sobrepeso.

Conclusão:

O estudo indicou que os docentes não praticam atividade física no nível preconizado pela Organização Mundial de Saúde, são, em sua maioria, sedentários e tem queixas de ansiedade. Aconselha-se a realização de ações visando à saúde dos docentes, direcionadas à modificação no estilo de vida, com prática regular de atividades físicas e dieta balanceada, para a melhoria da qualidade de vida.

Palavras-chave:
Atividade física; Docentes; Saúde do trabalhador; Sobrepeso

INTRODUCTION

Physical activity, understood as any body movement produced by the skeletal muscles resulting in energy expenditure higher than rest,11 Jurakić D, Pedišić Z, Greblo Z. Physical activity in different domains and health-related quality of life: a population-based study. Qual Life Res [Internet]. 2010 Nov; [cited 2016 Dec 6]; 19(9):1303-9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20632116. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11136-010-9705-6
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2063...
encompasses activities in various contexts, such as leisure, transportation, domestic tasks and work.22 Lee IM, Shiroma EJ, Lobelo F, Puska P, Blair SN, Katzmarzyk PT; Lancet Physical Activity Series Working Group. Effect of physical inactivity on major non-communicable diseases worldwide: an analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy. Lancet [Internet]. 2012 Jun; [cited 2016 Oct 10]; 380(9838):219-29. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22818936. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61031-9
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2281...

Physical inactivity is one of the main determinants of chronic non-communicable diseases, causing one in ten deaths worldwide.33 Okosun IS, Boltri M, Lyn R, Davis-Smith M. Continuous metabolic syndrome risk score, body mass index percentile, and leisure time physical activity in American children. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). [Internet]. 2010 Aug; [cited 2016 Oct 19]; 12(8):639-44. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20695944. DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-7176.2010.00338.x
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2069...
In the context of disease prevention, physical activity plays a major role in the prevention of Metabolic Syndrome (MS), which is characterized by the presence of at least three of the following risk factors: abdominal adipose, hypertriglyceridemia and low concentration of high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), elevated triglycerides, high blood pressure and elevated glucose.44 Junqueira CLC, Costa GM, Magalhães MEC. Metabolic Syndrome: is cardiovascular risk higher than for its individual components? Rev Bras Cardiol [Internet]. 2011; [cited 2016 Nov 23]; 24(5):308-15. Available from: http://sociedades.cardiol.br/socerj/revista/2011_05/2a_2011_v24_n05_07sindrome.pdf
http://sociedades.cardiol.br/socerj/revi...
,55 World Health Organization (WHO). Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2011.

The World Health Organization (WHO) establishes as ideal for adults the practice of at least 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity (PA) or 75 minutes per week of vigorous PA, in sessions of at least 10 minutes duration, without determination of weekly frequency.66 Felisbino-Mendes MS, Jansen AK, Gomes CS, Velasquez- Melendez G. Avaliação dos fatores de risco cardiovasculares em uma população rural brasileira. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2014; [cited 2016 Oct 25]; 30(6):1183-94. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0102-311X2014000601183&script=sci_abstract&tlng=pt. DOI: 10.1590/0102-311X00103213
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S010...
In a study carried out in Minas Gerais, physical activity was classified as follows: ideal, if practiced, at least 150 minutes/week; between 1 and 149 minutes per week; and poor if there is no moderate or vigorous physical activity.66 Felisbino-Mendes MS, Jansen AK, Gomes CS, Velasquez- Melendez G. Avaliação dos fatores de risco cardiovasculares em uma população rural brasileira. Cad Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2014; [cited 2016 Oct 25]; 30(6):1183-94. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0102-311X2014000601183&script=sci_abstract&tlng=pt. DOI: 10.1590/0102-311X00103213
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S010...
,77 World Health Organization. World Health Statistics 2012. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2012.

Data reveal that 17% of the world population is considered physically inactive and 60% do not correspond to the minimum of advisable physical activity.88 Guallar-Castillón P, Bayán-Bravo A, León-Muñoz LM, Balboa-Castillo T, López-García E, Gutierrez-Fisac JL, et al. The association of major patterns of physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep with health-related quality of life: a cohort study. Prev Med [Internet]. 2014 Oct; [cited 2016 Sep 10]; 67:248-54. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25138382. DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.08.015
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2513...
,99 Jesus GM, Jesus EFA. Nível de atividade física e barreiras percebidas para a prática de atividades físicas entre policiais militares. Rev Bras Ciênc Esporte [Internet]. 2012 Apr/Jun; [cited 2016 Oct 15]; 34(2):433-48. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0101-32892012000200013&lng=en&nrm=iso. DOI: 10.1590/S0101-32892012000200013
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Sedentary life affects approximately 70% of the world population, being considered by WHO the main responsible for 2,000,000 deaths per year worldwide and for 75% of deaths in the Americas.88 Guallar-Castillón P, Bayán-Bravo A, León-Muñoz LM, Balboa-Castillo T, López-García E, Gutierrez-Fisac JL, et al. The association of major patterns of physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep with health-related quality of life: a cohort study. Prev Med [Internet]. 2014 Oct; [cited 2016 Sep 10]; 67:248-54. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25138382. DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.08.015
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2513...

It is worth noting that the high levels of physical inactivity are associated with the contemporary style of life of the people, having as determinants the obligations and needs related to work, use of motorized transportation and preference for leisure activities related to electrical and electronic equipment such as television, computers and video games.1010 Guimarães AA, Bortolozo EAFQ, Lima DFR. Prevenção de fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares: programa de nutrição e prática de atividade física para servidores de uma universidade pública do estado do Paraná. Rev Eletrônica Fafit/Facic [Internet]. 2013; [cited 2016 Dec 10]; 4(1):10-8. Available from: http://www.fafit.com.br/revista/index.php/fafit/article/view/57
http://www.fafit.com.br/revista/index.ph...
It is also observed that the work areas related to safety and education, in which professors are inserted, are the most affected and most present behaviors that can be detrimental to health.55 World Health Organization (WHO). Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2011.,1010 Guimarães AA, Bortolozo EAFQ, Lima DFR. Prevenção de fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares: programa de nutrição e prática de atividade física para servidores de uma universidade pública do estado do Paraná. Rev Eletrônica Fafit/Facic [Internet]. 2013; [cited 2016 Dec 10]; 4(1):10-8. Available from: http://www.fafit.com.br/revista/index.php/fafit/article/view/57
http://www.fafit.com.br/revista/index.ph...

The influence of working conditions on workers' health occurs due to inadequate behaviors that can be caused by the labor universe, with sedentarism being one of the recurring problems among several professionals, and among them the professors, due to their long stressful daily activities, associated with lack of regular physical activity during leisure time.1111 Borsoi ICF. Trabalho e produtivismo: saúde e modo de vida de docentes de instituições públicas de Ensino Superior. Cad Psicol Soc Trab [Internet]. 2012 Jun; [cited 2016 Oct 27]; 15(1):81-100. Available from: http://www.revistas.usp.br/cpst/article/view/49623. DOI: 10.11606/issn.1981-0490.v15i1p81-100
http://www.revistas.usp.br/cpst/article/...

Studies show that lack of physical activity is also directly associated with high rates of overweight in higher education professors, and is accentuated by inadequate eating habits, alcohol use and high levels of stress.1212 Cavedon NR. A qualidade de vida no trabalho na área da Segurança Pública: uma perspectiva diacrônica das percepções olfativas e suas implicações na saúde dos servidores. Organ Soc [Internet]. 2014; [cited 2016 Nov 17]; 21(68):119-36. Available from: https://portalseer.ufba.br/index.php/revistaoes/article/view/9973/8347
https://portalseer.ufba.br/index.php/rev...
,1313 Oliveira ERA, Garcia AL, Gomes MJ, Bittar TO, Pereira AC. Gênero e qualidade de vida percebida - estudo com professores da área de saúde. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2012; [cited 2016 Dec 16]; 17(3):741-7. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-81232012000300021. DOI: 10.1590/S1413-81232012000300021
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...
Work and study commitments are among the main barriers to the practice of physical activities among professors.1313 Oliveira ERA, Garcia AL, Gomes MJ, Bittar TO, Pereira AC. Gênero e qualidade de vida percebida - estudo com professores da área de saúde. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2012; [cited 2016 Dec 16]; 17(3):741-7. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-81232012000300021. DOI: 10.1590/S1413-81232012000300021
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...

Overloading and inadequate working conditions, coupled with pressure to achieve productivity goals, result in high levels of stress and lack of regular physical activity.1414 Ministério da Saúde (BR). Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Vigilância de fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas por inquérito telefônico. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 2012; [cited 2016 Oct 20]. Available from: http://portalsaude.saude.gov.br/portalsaude/arquivos/pdf/2013/Ago/27/coletiva_vigitel_270813.pdf
http://portalsaude.saude.gov.br/portalsa...
,1515 Farah BQ, Barros MVG, Farias Júnior JCD, Ritti-Dias RM, Lima RA, Barbosa JPAS, et al. Percepção de estresse: associação com a prática de atividades físicas no lazer e comportamentos sedentários em trabalhadores da indústria. Rev Bras Educ Fís Esporte [Internet]. 2013 Apr/Jun; [cited 2016 Nov 26]; 27(2):225-34. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1807-55092013000200007. DOI: 10.1590/S1807-55092013000200007
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...

Considering the relevance of the practice of physical activity for the welfare and quality of life of teaching professionals, the present study was delineated through the following research question: "Do you practice physical activity with the objective of improving your quality of life?" Finding the key in question may provide significant data for the construction of intervention programs with the teaching staff of the higher education institution. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate the practice of physical activities of university professors focusing on quality of life.

METHODS

This is a transversal research using quantitative approach, developed in one of the seven campuses of a public university in the state of Paraná. The institution has a total of 68 undergraduate courses, of which 38 are bachelor's degrees and 30 are bachelor's degrees. The general teaching staff consists of 686 professionals, distributed in the various campuses. The campus that will be the focus of this research covers 11 courses, distributed in the morning, afternoon and evening shifts that are served by 177 professors.

The sample consisted of 121 professors, who make up the centers of human sciences and education, applied social sciences and health sciences, which, for the most part, have an exclusive work regime. The inclusion criterion used was to be a full-time professor during the period of data collection, and the exclusion criterion was to be on leave of any type or absent due to qualification processes. The sample was determined by means of a sample calculation, which considered the number of the total population (n = 177), the unknown prevalence of physical inactivity of the population (50%), confidence level equal to 95% and sample error of 5%. 10% of this value was added to the sample, providing for eventual losses and refusals, totaling 133 professors.

The instrument selected for data collection was the 'Brief Questionnaire for Measuring Standard Physical Activity in Epidemiological Studies', created by Baecke Burema and Frijters, adapted for the present study.1616 Baecke JA, Burema J, Frijters JE. A short questionnaire for the measurement of habitual physical activity in epidemiological studies. Am J Clin Nutr [Internet]. 1982 Nov; [cited 2016 Oct 10]; 36(5):936-42. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7137077
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7137...

The Baecke questionnaire is composed of 16 questions that cover three scores of Habitual Physical Activity (HPA) of the last 12 months: 1) occupational physical activity score, with eight questions; 2) physical exercise in leisure time score (PEL), with four questions; 3) leisure and locomotion physical activity score (LLA), with four questions.

In the present study, the questions of the occupational physical activity scores and the questions of physical activities of leisure and locomotion were used, as well as the records of the anthropometric indices of height and weight of the professors, which were used to calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI).

Data collection was performed between May and July of 2016, at the institution's premises. The researcher was present at the institution for three days a week, alternating between the morning, afternoon and evening shifts, to fill out the questionnaire by the professors. The approach of the professors was done in the nursing laboratory, in the corridors of the institution and also in the collegiate classrooms.

The questionnaire was given to the professors after being accepted to collaborate with the research, demonstrated from the signing of the Informed Consent Term. The time required to complete the questionnaire ranged from 10 to 15 minutes for each professor, making the researcher available until the completion of the questionnaire, to resolve doubts, when necessary.

The data collected were stored in an Excel 2010 worksheet and the analysis was performed by means of descriptive statistics with mean values and standard deviation for the continuous variables and by absolute and relative frequencies for the categorical variables. Analyzes were carried out by means of the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), version 20.0.

The research complied with the requirements of Resolution No. 466/2012 of the National Health Council, and was approved by the Committee of Ethics in Research with Human Beings of the State University of Maringá, under the opinion nº 1,625,229. This research is part of the Worker's Health Program, which is being developed at the institution of higher education.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The sample was composed of 121 faculty members at the university. Of the participants, 55 (45.5%) were male and 66 (54.5%) were female, ranging in age from 20 to 67 years, with a mean age of 44.4 years (Table 1).

Table 1
Sociodemographic and economic profile of the servers of a higher education institution in the countryside of Paraná - PR, 2016.

It is noticed that the increase in the number of women in the labor market portrays a fact considered irreversible, and women professors sometimes accumulate more than one working shift: as health and/or educational professionals and as housewives. This unfavorable situation reflects on their health, which can trigger a stress process, in addition to other health problems.1717 Ferreira JS, Diettrich SHC, Pedro DA. Influência da prática de atividade física sobre a qualidade de vida de usuários do SUS. Saúde Debate [Internet]. 2015 Jul/Sep; [cited 2016 Nov 25]; 39(106):792-801. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-11042015000300792&lng=en&nrm=iso. DOI: 10.1590/0103-1104201510600030019
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...

Regarding the anthropometric data, the average weight of the professors was 72.57 kg and the average height was 168.28 cm. In relation to the number of days per week in which they practice physical activity, an average of 2.37 was presented (Table 2). The standard deviation of the group considered adequate for the body mass index has a mass of (14.60), height (9.68), BMI (3.99) and days of the week of Physical Activity (60). When compared to the inadequate, the mean of the inadequate group was (74.83), height (167.86), BMI (26.20) and days of the week of Physical Activity (2.81). The standard deviation of the inadequate group for the mass was (15.36), the stature of (8.74), the BMI (4.29) and days of the week of Physical Activity (2.01).

Table 2
Distribution of the mean body mass index of the professors of a higher institution of higher education in the state of Paraná - PR, 2016

In this study, the BMI result showed certain equivalence between professors classified as eutrophic (46.8%) and overweight (36.9%), and the minority (16.2%) presented obesity (Table 2). It should be noted that the average number of days of the week that professors practiced physical activity did not exceed 3 (minimum of 2.37 and maximum 2.81 days).

Thus, insufficient levels of physical activity have been related to the excessive accumulation of body fat, negative modifications in the profile of blood lipids and high blood pressure levels.1818 Santos ALP, Simoes AC. Educação Física e qualidade de vida: reflexões e perspectivas. Saúde Soc [Internet]. 2012 Jan/Mar; [cited 2016 Oct 15]; 21(1):181-92. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-12902012000100018&lng=en&nrm=iso. DOI: 10.1590/S0104-12902012000100018
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...
It is noteworthy that most of the professors surveyed (53.1%) presented overweight and obesity, which may represent a predominance of a risk profile for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases (Table 3). It is known that the practice of regular physical activity is a fundamental part for the precaution of several health problems, for its biopsychosocial benefits and besides being indispensable for full motor development.1919 Rombaldi AJ, Borges TT, Canabarro LK, Corrêa LQ, Neutzling MB. Conhecimento de professores de educação física sobre fatores de risco para doenças crônicas de uma cidade do sul do Brasil. Rev Bras Cineantropom Desempenho Hum [Internet]. 2012; [cited 2016 Nov 29]; 14(1):61-72. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbcdh/v14n1/a07v14n1.pdf. DOI: 10.5007/1980-0037.2012v14n1p61
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbcdh/v14n1/a07...

Table 3
Body mass index in professors of a higher education institution in the state of Paraná - PR, 2016

Overweight is related to inadequate eating habits and lack of physical activity, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure levels and lead to high levels of stress. It is believed that the risk of stroke is doubled in stressed workers and that 32.5% of myocardial infarctions are influenced by psychosocial aspects, including stress and anxiety.1818 Santos ALP, Simoes AC. Educação Física e qualidade de vida: reflexões e perspectivas. Saúde Soc [Internet]. 2012 Jan/Mar; [cited 2016 Oct 15]; 21(1):181-92. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-12902012000100018&lng=en&nrm=iso. DOI: 10.1590/S0104-12902012000100018
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...
,1919 Rombaldi AJ, Borges TT, Canabarro LK, Corrêa LQ, Neutzling MB. Conhecimento de professores de educação física sobre fatores de risco para doenças crônicas de uma cidade do sul do Brasil. Rev Bras Cineantropom Desempenho Hum [Internet]. 2012; [cited 2016 Nov 29]; 14(1):61-72. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbcdh/v14n1/a07v14n1.pdf. DOI: 10.5007/1980-0037.2012v14n1p61
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbcdh/v14n1/a07...

Quality of life at work (QWL) is related to stress concerns and ways of avoiding it, seeking work satisfaction and fulfillment, as well as preserving mental health in the work environment.2020 Iser BPM, Yokota RTC, Sá NNB, Moura L, Malta DC. Prevalência de fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas nas capitais do Brasil - principais resultados do Vigitel 2010. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2012; [cited 2016 Oct 19]; 17(1):2343-56. Available from: http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csc/v17n9/a15v17n9.pdf. DOI: 10.1590/S1413-81232012000900015
http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csc/v17n9/a1...

Thus, it is observed that the maintenance of healthy habits, such as the practice of physical activity, constitutes one of the attitudes that can contribute to an improvement in the quality of life of individuals, as well as in the prevention of diseases such as obesity and stress, promoting individuals' health.2020 Iser BPM, Yokota RTC, Sá NNB, Moura L, Malta DC. Prevalência de fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas nas capitais do Brasil - principais resultados do Vigitel 2010. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2012; [cited 2016 Oct 19]; 17(1):2343-56. Available from: http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csc/v17n9/a15v17n9.pdf. DOI: 10.1590/S1413-81232012000900015
http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csc/v17n9/a1...

Corporal practices, physical activity, physical exercises and sport practice are linked to the improvement of the quality of life. However, there is no conceptual clarity or even an exact pathway to such practices and their relationship to quality of life.2121 Jonck VTF, Soares A, Araujo CCR, Machado Z, Reis NM, Guimarães ACA. Prevalência de Atividade Física em Mulheres. Rev Bras Promoç Saúde [Internet]. 2014; [cited 2016 Nov 9]; 27(4):533-40. Available from: http://periodicos.unifor.br/RBPS/article/view/2889. DOI: 10.5020/18061230.2014.p533
http://periodicos.unifor.br/RBPS/article...

When assessing the level of physical activity based on the weekly frequency with which this activity is performed, the results showed that 45.6% were classified with an adequate level and 54.4% inadequate (Table 4).

Table 4
Classification of the level of physical activity among the professors of a higher education institution in the state of Paraná - PR, 2016

The practice of physical activity is considered one of the main factors for a healthy life, and its absence is consequently seen as a risk factor for the health of the population, accounting for 6% of global mortality.2121 Jonck VTF, Soares A, Araujo CCR, Machado Z, Reis NM, Guimarães ACA. Prevalência de Atividade Física em Mulheres. Rev Bras Promoç Saúde [Internet]. 2014; [cited 2016 Nov 9]; 27(4):533-40. Available from: http://periodicos.unifor.br/RBPS/article/view/2889. DOI: 10.5020/18061230.2014.p533
http://periodicos.unifor.br/RBPS/article...
The incorporation of an active lifestyle is a very important condition for the preservation/maintenance of health status.

A study carried out in Santa Catarina with physical education professors showed that, in the overall lifestyle, professors had positive values ranging from 41.6% to 84.8% in the investigated dimensions, highlighting the active lifestyle, with 57.6%, which was evaluated in the study as a positive behavior in terms of quality of life.1919 Rombaldi AJ, Borges TT, Canabarro LK, Corrêa LQ, Neutzling MB. Conhecimento de professores de educação física sobre fatores de risco para doenças crônicas de uma cidade do sul do Brasil. Rev Bras Cineantropom Desempenho Hum [Internet]. 2012; [cited 2016 Nov 29]; 14(1):61-72. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbcdh/v14n1/a07v14n1.pdf. DOI: 10.5007/1980-0037.2012v14n1p61
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbcdh/v14n1/a07...
,2020 Iser BPM, Yokota RTC, Sá NNB, Moura L, Malta DC. Prevalência de fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas nas capitais do Brasil - principais resultados do Vigitel 2010. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2012; [cited 2016 Oct 19]; 17(1):2343-56. Available from: http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csc/v17n9/a15v17n9.pdf. DOI: 10.1590/S1413-81232012000900015
http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/csc/v17n9/a1...

The research conducted in southern Brazil, where 46.5% of professors did not perform programmed physical activity, justified by lack of time, double working hours and socioeconomic issues corroborates these findings.2121 Jonck VTF, Soares A, Araujo CCR, Machado Z, Reis NM, Guimarães ACA. Prevalência de Atividade Física em Mulheres. Rev Bras Promoç Saúde [Internet]. 2014; [cited 2016 Nov 9]; 27(4):533-40. Available from: http://periodicos.unifor.br/RBPS/article/view/2889. DOI: 10.5020/18061230.2014.p533
http://periodicos.unifor.br/RBPS/article...
,2222 Santos MN, Marques AC. Condições de saúde, estilo de vida e características de trabalho de professores de uma cidade do sul do Brasil. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2013 Mar; [cited 2016 Dec 10]; 18(3):837-46. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-81232013000300029. DOI: 10.1590/S1413-81232013000300029
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...
It is worth noting that lack of physical activity predisposes these professionals to muscular weakness, possibility of muscular fatigue and difficulty to endure the long hours of weekly work, with predisposition to work away from work due to occupational diseases.

Among the causes of absenteeism are the psychobiological disorders, for they negatively influence professors' working capacity and, consequently, students' learning. This situation is in contrast to an intense work pace, which requires high levels of attention and concentration, necessary for the good performance of teaching activities.2222 Santos MN, Marques AC. Condições de saúde, estilo de vida e características de trabalho de professores de uma cidade do sul do Brasil. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva [Internet]. 2013 Mar; [cited 2016 Dec 10]; 18(3):837-46. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-81232013000300029. DOI: 10.1590/S1413-81232013000300029
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...
,2323 Brito WF, Santos CL, Marcolongo ADA, Campos MD, Bocalini DS, Antonio EL, et al. Nível de atividade física em professores da rede estadual de ensino. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2012 Feb; [cited 2016 Nov 12]; 46(1):104-9. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102012000100013. DOI: 10.1590/S0034-89102012000100013
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...

In a study with professors, physical inactivity was prevalent in 79.7% of the professors, who were linked to the variables: female individuals, older and with lower socioeconomic status.2323 Brito WF, Santos CL, Marcolongo ADA, Campos MD, Bocalini DS, Antonio EL, et al. Nível de atividade física em professores da rede estadual de ensino. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2012 Feb; [cited 2016 Nov 12]; 46(1):104-9. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102012000100013. DOI: 10.1590/S0034-89102012000100013
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...
The level of physical activity in professors of upper public state education oscillates according to the age of each professor. The predominance of insufficient levels of physical activity was 46.3% in professors, with a predisposition to decrease physical activity with increasing age.2323 Brito WF, Santos CL, Marcolongo ADA, Campos MD, Bocalini DS, Antonio EL, et al. Nível de atividade física em professores da rede estadual de ensino. Rev Saúde Pública [Internet]. 2012 Feb; [cited 2016 Nov 12]; 46(1):104-9. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-89102012000100013. DOI: 10.1590/S0034-89102012000100013
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...

Physical inactivity is a major public health problem, and 70% of the adult population does not reach the minimum levels of physical activity recommended by the WHO, which contributes to the increase of morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases.2424 Gualano B, Tinucci T. Sedentarismo, exercício físico e doenças crônicas. Rev Bras Educ Fís Esporte [Internet]. 2011 Dec; [cited 2016 Dec 29]; 25(n.spe):37-43. Available from: http://www.revistas.usp.br/rbefe/article/view/16841/18554
http://www.revistas.usp.br/rbefe/article...

A contemporary report on the global burden of disease has shown that factors such as inadequate diet, hypertension, high BMI, smoking, high fasting glucose and inactivity, in this order of importance, are of the highest magnitude for the cause of death and for the years of life adjusted due to disability in the Brazilian population.2525 Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Global burden of disease profile [Internet]: Brazil. 2013 [cited 2017 Mar 12]. Available from: http://www.healthmetricsandevaluation.org/gbd/country-profiles
http://www.healthmetricsandevaluation.or...

These results may help in the recognition that healthy habits remain precarious among the population, even among the most enlightened individuals. Thus, public health policies should prioritize actions for health promotion and disease prevention.

The present study presents as a limitation the fact that it was developed only with the professors of one of the campuses of the institution, as well as the lack of policies aimed at physical activities and their respective applicability in the daily life of the educational institution.

The result of this research provides information that can trigger a planning and direction of actions to the university professors, guaranteeing the possibility of greater adhesion and incentive to practice physical activities as a way of improving the health and quality of life of the teaching staff. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out the research in the other campuses of the university, in order to detect the quality of life of professors and develop strategies throughout the university.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that the large number of professors presented physical activity at levels inadequate to have a good quality of life, and more than half of the professors are at risk, such as overweight and/or obesity. In this way, intervention mechanisms must be thought early, aiming at the continuous health of professors. The first attitude to be taken concerns strategies that seek a lifestyle change centered on regular physical activity and a balanced diet.

In this perspective, the incentive of the practice of physical activity for professors should be stimulated through programs that offer a routine of physical activities and a balanced diet in the work place, besides the awareness in terms of the reduction of the time spent in hypokinetic activities, such as watching television and using computer for long periods of time.

REFERENCES

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    2017

History

  • Received
    20 Apr 2017
  • Accepted
    17 Aug 2017
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