Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and motivation to exercise: a cross-sectional study in healthcare professionals

Introduction Healthcare professionals who engage in physical activity tend to prescribe it more frequently, reinforcing their potential role in influencing patients' behaviors. In this regard, promoting physical activity among healthcare professionals is identified as a strategy to increase the level of physical activity in the community. This study aimed to characterize the level of physical activity and sedentary behavior and assess motivation for exercise in healthcare professionals from the Health Centers Group of Alto Ave. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on physicians and nurses. A questionnaire, consisting of three validated instruments for the Portuguese adult population, namely the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Activity Choice Index, and Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire - 3, was sent to participants via email for self-completion. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify associations between variables. Results A total of 126 healthcare professionals responded to the questionnaire. Of the total healthcare professionals, 29.6% were physically inactive. The prevalence for most non-sedentary activities was low. The time spent sitting had a median value of 10 hours per day. Healthcare professionals scored higher in Autonomous Motivation, which was independently associated with the level of physical activity. Conclusion The level of physical activity among healthcare professionals may be positive considering the described relationship between their own physical activity levels and the likelihood of recommending regular physical activity to patients. Additionally, the personal value and utility of physical exercise are recognized and accepted by the participants. Attention should be given to the sedentary behavior of these professionals. The results of this study may serve as a reference and foundation for potential interventions to be implemented to promote healthier and more active lifestyles among healthcare professionals.