Marcio Teixeira

Equivalências semântica e conceitual da versão em português do National College Health Assessment II

The objective of this study was to describe the semantic and conceptual equivalences of the National College Health Assessment II (NCHA II). The original version of the NCHA II was translated into Portuguese and back-translated into English. A committee of experts analyzed the different versions of the questionnaire. The version of the translated NCHA II questionnaire was experimentally administered to a sample of 64 university students of both sexes. After minor changes identified in the translation process, the committee of experts concluded that the Portuguese version of the NCHA II showed semantic and conceptual equivalences. In conclusion, the initial stages of the process of cross-cultural adaptation of the NCHA II questionnaire were satisfactory. Future studies are necessary to identify psychometric properties and validation indicators prior to the effective recommendation of the instrument for safe use.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES AND HEALTH OUTCOMES IN BRAZILIAN STUDENTS

ABSTRACT 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. Results: Participation in Physical Education classes was not associated with any of the studied variables. Being active during Physical Education classes was associated with achieving health related criteria for cardiorespiratory fitness (PR=1.34, 95%CI 1.16-1.55) and muscle strength (PR=1.36, 95%CI 1.09-1.71). The same did not occur for overweight (PR=1.04, 95%CI 0.95-1.14), obesity (PR=1.02, 95%CI 0.91-1.05), or high blood pressure (PR=0.98, 95%CI 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.

Physical fitness and health-related quality of life in Brazilian adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Purpose. To compare physical fitness according to dimensions of Health-related Quality of Life (HrQOL) in Brazilian adolescents. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 588 adolescents (263 female) aged 12 to 17 years from a private school in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. HrQOL was assessed by the Kidscreen-52 questionnaire. Four components of physical fitness were assessed: adiposity (sum of tricipital and subscapular skinfolds), muscular strength (handgrip test), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), and cardiorespiratory fitness (20m Shuttle run test). Differences in physical fitness across terciles of HrQOL were assessed using Analysis of covariance. Results. Adolescents with higher scores (3 Tercile) of HrQOL in the physical well-being dimension presented higher cardiorespiratory fitness and lower skinfold thickness (p < 0.05) compared to adolescents with lower scores (1Tercile). Those with higher scores in psychological well-being and social support and peer relation dimensions also presented lower skinfold thickness (p < 0.05). Performance in handgrip strength and flexibility did not differ across terciles of HrQOL in any dimension analyzed (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness seem to contribute to the physical well-being dimension of HQOL in Brazilian adolescents. Furthermore, adiposity also contributes to psychological well-being and social support and peer relations. Adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness should be monitored to avoid low HrQOL in Brazilian adolescents.