MOTIVATIONS FOR SPORTS ACTIVITIES AND ALCOHOL USE IN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

Alcohol use and abuse is a public health problem, it is a causal factor for more than 200 diseases and injuries; sports activity has been considered a protective factor for alcohol use, however, the relationship of these variables is not consistent.

Objective:

To identify the relationship between motivations for sports activity, measuring days and minutes dedicated to it, and alcohol use in teenagers.

Methods:

A descriptive correlational design with stratified random sampling and proportional allocation to the stratum size was used. A single stage cluster sampling was conducted for each stratum. The sample included 415 teenagers with a power of 0.90. The Scale of Motives for Physical Activity Measurement-Revised [MPAM-R] and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT] were used.

Results:

The number of days (rs=0.254, p<0.001) and minutes (rs=0.253, p<0.001) spent in sports activities by teenagers were positively and significantly correlated with alcohol use [AUDIT]. Likewise, the number of days (r=0.253, p<0.001) and minutes (rs=0.270, p<0.001) spent in sports activities were positively and significantly correlated with motivations.

Conclusions:

The number of days and minutes spent in sports activities by teenagers is related to alcohol use and motivations. There is a need for predictive models as a basis for future nursing interventions focused on health promotion and alcohol use prevention by using strategies that promote sports activities.