LIFESTYLES AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: CLUSTERS OF LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES REPRESENTATIONS AND PATTERNS AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

João Martins, Francis Anacleto, Madalena Ramos, Pedro Torrado, Adilson Marques, Francisco Carreiro da Costa

This study sought to identify clusters of leisure-time activities (LTA) representations and patterns among adolescents, and to explore the relationship between the representations and patterns of LTA. A total of 387 adolescents (217 girls and 170 boys; 17.1 ± 1.0 years) answered to a questionnaire about the importance and practice of LTA. Using both cluster analysis and correspondence multiple analyses, five different groups of representations (“no sociable”, “sporty and sociable”, “artists”, “non sporty”, “eclectics”) and four patterns of practice of LTA were identified. The most important LTA tended to be more practiced, with physical activity (PA) and screen related sedentary behaviours (SB) as exceptions. PA and SB were considered, respectively, low and high. Interventions for promoting PA and reducing SB are needed and should consider the complex and distinct interests and practices of LTA across each group of adolescents.