Regulações motivacionais das diferentes escolhas de atividade física no lazer de adolescentes

The aim of the present study was to compare motivational regulations between different leisure-time physical activity (PA) choices in adolescents and to analyze whether the total amount of PA is different according to PA choices. A population-based cross-sectional study was performed and included 2,757 adolescent students aged between 10 and 19 years. Motivational regulations and PA were measured using validated questionnaires. Team sports were the most prevalent PA choice among the adolescents (≈ 60%). Intrinsic regulation was higher for adventure sports (3.0 ± 0.99; p < 0.001; hedges’ g = 0.55), combat sports (2.90 ± 1.13; p < 0.001; hedges’ g = 0.46) and team sports (2.66 ± 1.14; p < 0.001; hedges’ g = 0.25) compared to adolescents’ exercise choice (2.37 ± 1.15). Time spent in PA was different between PA choices (p < 0.001); It was higher for adventure sports choice [(versus all others) (z-score = 1.51, p < 0.001)] and combat sports (z-score = 0.76) versus team sports (z = 0.02; p = 0.02) and exercise (z = -0.10; p < 0.001). In conclusion, motivational characteristics of adventure and combat sports may need to be considerate to plan and tailor PA programs for adolescents.