A Beira Mar como local de prática de atividades físicas: uma análise sobre fatores motivacionais

Abstract

The practice of physical exercises is recommended by the World Health Organization and has proven its benefits in several studies. However, there is a determining factor for the population to initiate and perform physical exercises on a regular basis, this factor is motivation. The Theory of Self-Determination (TAD) highlights that there are intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors, in addition to amotivation, these factors refer to the individual himself. Another aspect that can influence the regular practice of exercises is the location. Based on this, this research aimed to identify the motivational aspects related to the practice of physical activities on the Beira Mar shore in the city of Fortaleza. This descriptive quantitative research has a sample of 86 participants who answered twelve sociodemographic questions about training routine and motivation. They also answered the Scale of Reasons for Physical Activity (MPAM-R), a questionnaire adapted to the Brazilian context with 26 questions that define which motivational factors influence the practice of physical exercises. The sample had 55.8% women and 44.2% men. The average age of the participants was 40.08 years (SD=11.7) where 45.3% practice physical activities at Beira Mar 4 times a week or more, 25.6% claim to train between 1 and 3 years, while 17.4% claim to have been training for more than 10 years in Beira Mar, even though 25.58% of participants live more than 10km from their training location. The results also indicate that 70.93% are motivated by factors associated with health and quality of life. The “environmental and structural” factors also proved to be quite relevant among the participants, 47.67% pointed out the importance of the environment and 24.42% pointed out structural aspects. Among the structural issues for regular exercise practice, the role of sports advisors and practice groups stands out, as 90.7% of participants are part of one of them. Based on these data, we can conclude that the population that frequents the Beira Mar coast of Fortaleza is motivated to maintain a regular practice of physical activity, mainly for health and quality of life. The environment, including nature and landscaping, as well as the structure of the waterfront, advisory services and groups, contribute to the waterfront being a motivating space for the regular practice of exercises by the researched sample.