Características do ambiente físico e organizacional para a prática de atividade física nas escolas de Curitiba, Brasil

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of physical activity (PA) facilities and structure between public and private schools of Curitiba, Brazil. Cross-sectional study conducted in 114 schools (72.8% public schools). A physical education (PE) instructor from each school (n = 114) reported about PA and PE organizational characteristics. The school environment was assessed through systematic observation tool to identify type, quality (no functional, poor, medium and excellent) and number of PA facilities. All organizational characteristics were reported by PE instructors through a standardized questionnaire. Data was analyzed through frequencies, chi-square and Mann Whitney U tests considering 5% of statistical significance. In public schools PA facilities for play were “medium” (54.6%), sports (29.1%), individual courts “poor” (38,7%) and multi sports courts “no functional” (37.6%), whereas private schools presented facilities with “excellent” quality for play areas (68.9%), sports (57.3%), individual courts (50.0%) and multi sports courts (47.0%) with significant difference in all areas between schools (p < 0.001). Public schools had one PA equipment per 100 students, whereas private schools had twice as many equipments (p < 0.001). The availability of PA facilities was, in general, similar in both types of schools, except in access in playgrounds and table tennis areas during the recess, being higher in private schools (p < 0.05). Private schools showed greater quantity and higher quality of PA facilities than public schools.