AULAS DE EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA E DESFECHOS RELACIONADOS À SAÚDE EM ESTUDANTES BRASILEIROS

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between participation and physical activity during Physical Education classes with health outcomes in Brazilian students. METHODS: 681 Brazilian students (50.5% female) aged 10 to 17 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Independent variables analyzed were participation and physical activity during Physical Education classes, both assessed using a self-report questionnaire. The outcomes were: cardiorespiratory fitness (20-meter Shuttle Run test), muscle strength (Push-up test), overweight and obesity (body mass index) and high blood pressure. Statistical analysis was conducted by Poisson regression to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) adjusted for confounding variables (age, sex, parental education, physical activity and sedentary behavior), considering the complex sample design. RESULTADOS: A participacao nas aulas de Educacao fisica nao se associou com nenhum dos desfechos estudados. Ser ativo durante as aulas de Educacao fisica associou-se com o atendimento do criterio de saude para aptidao cardiorrespiratoria (RP=1,34, IC95% 1,16-1,55) e forca muscular (RP=1,36 IC95% 1,09-1,71). O mesmo nao ocorreu para sobrepeso (RP=1,04, IC95% 0,95-1,14), obesidade (RP=1,02, IC95% 0,91-1,05) e pressao arterial elevada (RP=0,98, IC95% 0,90-1,06). CONCLUSIONS: Students who reported being active during classes presented a higher likelihood to achieve the health criteria for cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength. However, classes traditionally offered in Brazil do not protect students from overweight, obesity, or high blood pressure.