Sports and health from the perspective of physical education professionals

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study was to understand the conceptions of sports and health of Physical Education professionals working in a sports department of a municipality located in Baixada Santista region (São Paulo, Brazil) in the context of the non-training of athletes. Method: For that, a qualitative descriptive research was carried out with nine Physical Education professional, of both genders and in any age group, distributed in two sport centers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted about sports and health. Data analysis occurred using non-a priori categories. Results: As a result, the conception of sports took place through three categories sport as a movement; sport as a formation agent for citizenship; and sport as a competitive modality. In relation to health, three categories were also identified health as well being; health as a quality of life; and health as body care. Conclusion: It is concluded that the diversity of conceptions found reflects the polysemy that involves sports and health, and, consequently, can result in a distinct pedagogical practice from these professionals, who, allocated in the same professional context, a sports department, can generate divergences.(AU)