Physical activity: not everything is good, not everything is bad – How to throw away the bath water without dropping the “healthy baby”?

Introduction: A considerable amount of literature in the last decades demonstrates an association between physical activity (PA) to health. For example, individuals who are physically active are described as having a better health and more life satisfaction. However, some studies also suggest an association between PA and sports practice with alcohol consumption, violent behaviour, injuries, exercise abuse and the use of doping strategies.

Methods: The purpose of this study is to determine the behaviours that can have a positive or negative association with PA. Based on the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children, 5050 portuguese adolescents attending 6th (30.8%), 8th (31.6%) and 10th (37.6%) grades (M = 13.98, years old, SD =1.85; 52.3% girls) answered a survey concerning a variety of health behaviours and self-perceptions.

Results/ Discussion: Results suggested that being more active is positively associated to better nutrition ("eating fruit"), and perceptions of life satisfaction and good health. However, PA is also related to violent behaviour, injuries and alcohol abuse. Although small effects are reported, this pattern is consistent across age groups. It is therefore recommend finding ways to keep and enhance the several well-documented benefits of PA by preventing its adverse side effects.