The practice of sports activities in our society has been significantly increasing due to the development of a new awareness on the importance of practicing physical activities regularly to improve people's quality of life. The present study attempts to establish the aims and reasons for practice and drop out of physical activity concerning 15, 16 and 17 year-old teenagers. This investigative process is characterized as a quantitative investigation of non-experimental methodology and of transversal study type. The instrument used was a questionnaire carried out with students from the public education system in the city of Novo Hamburgo, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. As a result, it was found that having some fun and leisure during free time and body shape concern, are the main objectives in both male and female students concerning physical activity. Comparing the objectives of male and female teenagers, it is possible to notice that competing is an objective more associated to male than female teenagers.
students; exercise; sports
