Leisure Time Physical Activity and Reported Impairments: a Cross- Sectional, Population-based Study in the City of São Paulo

Abstract Background For people with impairments, physical activity is also a mechanism that facilitates autonomy in activities of daily living and inclusion in society. In addition to sociodemographic inequalities related to impairments, evidence shows that some population strata also have greater opportunities for physical activity. However, studies of physical activity in this population specifically are scarce. So, the purpose of the study was to describe and compare leisure time physical activity among people with and without impairments in the city of São Paulo, measuring the magnitude of inequalities and associated factors according to selected sociodemographic variables. Methods Data from the 3rd edition of the ISA-Capital, a population-based cross-sectional study of the population in the city of São Paulo, was used. People included were classified as people with and without - visual, hearing, physical or intellectual impairments. Leisure time physical activity was assessed using the IPAQ, classifying as leisure-time active those who met the recommendation from WHO. Prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Poisson regression models were used. Results When comparing the prevalence of physically active people without impairments (22.4%) and those with impairments, no statistically significant differences were found for visual (17.8%), hearing (20.3%) and intellectual impairment (17.7%). Physically active people with physical impairments prevalence were 40.0% lower than those without impairments (10.9%), 60.0% lower in older people (5.9%) and 50% lower in males (9.8%). Conclusion Combination of public policies, right environment, awareness and knowledge of the recommendations and benefits of practicing physical activity during leisure time are essential for people with impairments to engage in a physical activity program.