SEASONAL EFFECTS ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS IN ADULTS LIVING IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Abstract

There are no consistent findings about the seasonal effects on the physical activity levels(PAL) of the population. We conducted a study aimed at evaluating seasonal effects onphysical activity levels among adults living in a temperate region of Brazil. A longitudinalstudy was carried out in a sample of 120 adults living in Southern Brazil. Physical activitywas evaluated using the leisure-time and transport-related physical activity sections of theInternational Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in two periods (summer and winter)of the year 2007. Median values of PAL (MET-min/week) were compared between the twoseasons using Sign Test. McNemar Test was used for physical activity as dichotomous. TotalLeisure-Time median values were higher in summer compared to winter (383.75 vs. 210MET-min/wk, respectively; p=0.02). Overall, 37.5% of the subjects were classified as inactiveduring Summer compared to 49.2% during Winter (p=0.04). Subjects with 9 to 11 yearsof education, belonging to socioeconomic status B were more likely to decrease PAL inWinter compared to Summer. There must be planning and strategies to promote regularPA, particularly in winter.