RESUMO
Objective: To assess whether incentives for practicing regular physical activities in fact help raising the frequency of exercising. Methods: Male and female subjects undergoing two to three assessments in the Check-Up Unit of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE) were evaluated by noting any increase in levels of physical activity, improvements in mean metabolic unit numbers, and the sensitization index. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was applied to assess the sample. Results: There were 1,879 subjects - 1,559 (83%) males and 320 (17%) females - aged 20 to 76 years (mean age = 45.8 years, standard deviation ± 8.8) who underwent a Continued Health Review at the Center for Preventive Medicine of the HIAE, Check-Up Unit, Jardins. Initially, over half of the sample was insufficiently active (sedentary or poorly active); there were more women than men in this group. After the health review, most subjects increased their level of physical activity; this increase was higher among women. Males encouraged three times to exercising showed better results (increased level of physical activity) as compared to males encouraged twice for exercising. The best results in females were found in the group that went through two evaluations. This result is due to the fact that the sample of females comprising the group that received incentives on three occasions was small. This was also the only group that showed no increase in mean metabolic units. The sensitization index assessment in the overall sample was very satisfactory, as the expected results were achieved. Conclusions: These results show that motivational interventions are effective for raising the level of physical activity. We concluded that to encourage the practice of regular physical activity through information programs about its health benefits is very important.
Objetivo: Verificar se a proposta de incentivo à prática regular de atividade física colabora para o aumento dos níveis de atividade física. Métodos: Foi realizada uma avaliação entre os grupos de homens e mulheres que passaram por duas ou três avaliações na Unidade de Check-Up do Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), comparando-se a melhora no nível de atividade física, a melhora da média do número de unidades metabólicas e o Índice de Sensibilização. Toda a amostra foi avaliada por meio do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física. Resultados: A amostra foi constituída por 1.879 indivíduos, sendo 1.559 (83%) do sexo masculino e 320 (17%) do sexo feminino, com idades variando de 20 a 76 anos, idade média de 45,8 anos (desvio padrão ± 8,8) submetidos à Revisão Continuada de Saúde no Centro de Medicina Preventiva do HIAE, Unidade Check-Up, Jardins. No início do nosso estudo, mais da metade da nossa amostra era de indivíduos insuficientemente ativos (sedentários + pouco ativos), sendo que, quando dividida a amostra entre os gêneros, este número foi maior entre as mulheres. Após a reavaliação, foi possível constatar que grande parte dos indivíduos obteve aumento no nível de atividade física, sendo que entre as mulheres este aumento foi maior. O grupo de homens que recebeu a proposta de incentivo à atividade física por três vezes obteve melhores resultados em relação aos níveis de atividade física que o grupo de homens que recebeu a proposta de incentivo por duas vezes. No grupo das mulheres, o resultado foi melhor no grupo avaliado duas vezes. Este resultado se deve ao número reduzido da amostra de mulheres do grupo que recebeu a proposta por três vezes. Este grupo também foi o único que não apresentou aumento do número da média de unidades metabólicas. A avaliação do Índice de Sensibilização na amostra geral foi muito satisfatória, atingindo os resultados esperados. Conclusões: Estes resultados demonstram que a Intervenção Motivacional é uma ferramenta eficaz para a promoção da atividade física. Conclui-se que é de grande importância o incentivo da prática regular de atividade física mediante programas de informação de seus benefícios à saúde.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether incentives for practicing regular physical activities in fact help raising the frequency of exercising. METHODS: Male and female subjects undergoing two to three assessments in the Check-Up Unit of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE) were evaluated by noting any increase in levels of physical activity, improvements in mean metabolic unit numbers, and the sensitization index. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was applied to assess the sample. RESULTS: There were 1,879 subjects - 1,559 (83%) males and 320 (17%) females - aged 20 to 76 years (mean age = 45.8 years, standard deviation ± 8.8) who underwent a Continued Health Review at the Center for Preventive Medicine of the HIAE, Check-Up Unit, Jardins. Initially, over half of the sample was insufficiently active (sedentary or poorly active); there were more women than men in this group. After the health review, most subjects increased their level of physical activity; this increase was higher among women. Males encouraged three times to exercising showed better results (increased level of physical activity) as compared to males encouraged twice for exercising. The best results in females were found in the group that went through two evaluations. This result is due to the fact that the sample of females comprising the group that received incentives on three occasions was small. This was also the only group that showed no increase in mean metabolic units. The sensitization index assessment in the overall sample was very satisfactory, as the expected results were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that motivational interventions are effective for raising the level of physical activity. We concluded that to encourage the practice of regular physical activity through information programs about its health benefits is very important.
