Conhecimento do profissional de Educação Física atuante em academias de ginástica de Pelotas

Abstract

The pursuit of quality of life and health is partly achieved through the adoption of healthy habits, such as stress management, adequate sleep, not smoking, maintaining a balanced diet, and engaging in regular physical activity. Regarding the practice of physical activities, fitness centers play a fundamental role in promoting health and physical well-being. Gyms are not only places for training but also for social interaction, where people can connect, share experiences, and achieve health goals guided by Physical Education professionals. Despite this, a study carried out in 2015 investigated the level of knowledge for this, it is crucial that they possess updated knowledge of the subjects related to their work. Despite this, a 2015 study investigating the knowledge level of Physical Education professionals working in gyms in the city of Pelotas demonstrated that these professionals had insufficient knowledge about the themes involved in their work. Nine years after the publication of this study’s results, this research aimed to assess the knowledge of professionals working in fitness centers in the city of Pelotas, RS. It was an observational, cross-sectional study involving professionals working in fitness centers in Pelotas, RS, registered with CREF and the Municipal Government. Data collection was carried out through a face-to-face, pre tested, and coded questionnaire, containing questions related to demographic and socioeconomic conditions, nutrition, academic training, and technical knowledge. The knowledge was assessed through a questionnaire with 20 closed-ended questions covering the benefits of physical activity for health, the prevention of non communicable diseases, the purposes of physical activity, and its effects on the human body. The structuring of the database was carried out in the Excel version 2021 program and for data analysis, the statistical software STATA13.0 was used. Firstly, a descriptive analysis of the variables under study was carried out, with calculation of means and standard deviation (SD) for continuous variables and calculation of proportions for categorical variables. Subsequently, associations were verified using Fischer's exact chi-square and linear trend tests. The multivariable analysis was conducted using Poisson regression with robust variance, using the level of knowledge in categorized form as the outcome and the variables sex, age, skin color, marital status, family income, BMI, years of work in gym, being the owner of the gym, working with a formal contract and being satisfied with the salary. 100 gyms registered on the CREF website. Of these 100 gyms. 27 gyms were not found. There were 99 completed questionnaires, and 90 refusals. Among the gyms, 29 gyms were located in the center of Pelotas, 19 gyms in Areal, 18 in Três Vendas, four in Fragata, two in Laranjal and one in the Cruzeiro neighborhood. The majority of the evaluated individuals were male 65,7%, with an average age of 34.6 ± 9.5 years, 57,6% single, and 80,8% of white skin color. The average score on questions related to knowledge about physical activity and health was 13.2 ± 4.1 points. The lowest percentages of correct answers were found in questions about the appropriate time to interrupt sedentary behavior (32.3%), abdominal circumference measurement for metabolic risk (33.0%), and the conceptual definition of the long-term effects of a strength training program on an individual’s muscles (47.5%). The level of knowledge about physical activity and health was worrying among the gym professionals interviewed, especially considering that they are trained professionals who serve an increasingly growing number of individuals. There is a clear need for strategies to improve the knowledge of this group of professionals.