The investigation of physical activity/public health in South America presents results near to those found in developed countries. Such results are rarely accepted as reference to our reality. The methodological procedures for the evaluation of physical activities range from direct measurements accomplished in laboratory to those used to estimate caloric consumption during daily tasks. Then, the binomial Public Health/Physical Exercise is approached with emphasis on the perspectives and limitations of this relation in our environment. The authors also make a literature review considering the possibility related to the transitional epidemiological standard, focused on the practice of physical exercises, health and infectious illnesses, showing some alternatives for the investigation of the current reality and aiming at overcoming the delay in area.
Public health; Physical activity; Developing countries.