Abstract AIM This study examined the effectiveness of two different behavioral change interventions to improve Physical Activity (PA) and to reduce Sedentary Behavior (SB) in a primary health care setting. METHODS This quasi-experimental study recruited and enrolled 31 users of a primary health care unit of the Brazilian Unified Health System aged 18 or more. Participants were allocated into two groups: Physical Exercise Group combined with Health Education (EHE) and Health Education Group (HE). The EHE group participated in 60 minutes of exercise, twice a week, and 20 minutes of counseling. The HE group participated in 40 minutes of counseling, once a week. Both programs were conducted for over 18 weeks. PA levels were self-reported (IPAQ) and PA and SB were objectively (accelerometer) assessed before and after the intervention period. Data were analyzed using intention-to-treat analysis with generalized estimating equations adopting p<0.05 for significance. Also, the individual PA and SB deltas were computed. Improvements in PA and SB were observed for both interventions (p<0.05). RESULTS Both groups increased the minutes of weekly leisure PA (p=0.006), time spent in light (p=0.003), and moderated-to-vigorous (p=0.042) PA and decreased the amount of SB, with a significant decrease in the HE group (p=0.010). Delta analyses further demonstrated the effectiveness of the interventions to increase PA in other domains (i.e., transportation, household) and maintenance of occupational PA. CONCLUSION Behavioral change interventions in the primary health care context involving exercise and counseling seem to be effective in improving PA and SB in adults.

Resumo: Este estudo objetivou analisar a percepção sobre os antecedentes afetivos para a prática de atividade física (AF) relacionados às necessidades psicológicas básicas (NPB) e investigar as regulações motivacionais para prática de AF no discurso dos participantes iniciantes de um programa de exercício físico na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de natureza qualitativa com a utilização de Grupo Focal. Participaram da pesquisa 41 adultos. Os resultados demonstram que as percepções dos participantes sugerem frustração para as NPB de autonomia e competência. O comportamento dos participantes para a iniciação ao programa é regulado por contingentes externos, caracterizados por punições e medos na adesão ao programa. Não foram observadas regulações motivacionais intrínsecas, e a autodeterminação para a participação no programa é baixa. Conclui-se que essa população não percebe sentimentos ligados ao prazer pela prática de AF per se, diminuindo as chances de manutenção do comportamento para realizar AF.

Abstract: This study analyzed the perception about affective background for physical activity (PA) related to basic psychological needs (BPN) and investigated motivational regulations for PA in the discourse of beginners at an exercise program in primary health care. A cross-sectional study was carried out using the Focus Group technique to reach the study’s goals. Participants were 41 adult users of Brazil’s Unified Health System. Results show that their perceptions suggest frustration regarding basic needs for autonomy and competence. Beginners’ behavior is primarily regulated by external circumstances characterized by punishment and fear when joining the program. Intrinsic motivational regulations and low self-determination to participate in the program were not observed. It can be argued that this population does not feel satisfaction and pleasure when doing PA per se, therefore decreasing their chances of maintaining the PA behavior.

Resumen: Este estudio objetivó analizar la percepción sobre los antecedentes afectivos para la práctica de actividad física (AF) relacionados con las necesidades psicológicas básicas (NPB) e investigar las regulaciones motivacionales para la práctica de AF en el discurso de los participantes que empiezan un programa de ejercicio en la Atención Primaria de Salud. Es un estudio transversal, de naturaleza cualitativa, que utiliza Grupo Focal. Participaron 41 adultos en la investigación. Los resultados demuestran que las percepciones de los participantes sugieren frustración en las NPB de autonomía y competencia. El comportamiento de los participantes al iniciar el programa está reglamentado por contingentes externos, y se caracteriza por castigos y miedos al adherir al programa. No se han observado regulaciones motivacionales intrínsecas y la autodeterminación en la participación en el programa es baja. Se concluye que esta población no percibe sentimientos relacionados con el placer en la práctica de AF en sí, lo que reduce las posibilidades de mantener el comportamiento para realizar AF.