COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE AND PHYSICAL SELF-CONCEPT AMONG CHILEAN ADOLESCENTS WITH AND WITHOUT SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

Objective: To compare the levei of physical activity (NAF), sedentary lifestyle and physical self-concept in schooichiidren of both genera with and without Transitory Special Educational Needs (TSEN) aged 15-17 years in the Araucan??a region (Chile). Method: The research has a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, cross-sectional design and a comparative descriptive scope. Forty-three schooichiidren aged 15-17 years from the Araucan??a region, with and without TSEN, were evaluated. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Physical Self-Concept Questionnaire (CAF) and the Adolescent Sedentary Activity Questionnaire (ASAQ) were appiied. Results: Regarding the NAF, most of the adoiescents without TSEN were in the medium levei and the adoiescents with TSEN were in the low levei with significant differences between them. In sedentary lifestyle their resuits were high, on average 3415 minutes with no significant differences. For physical seif-concept, comparativeiy no significant differences were observed. Conclusion: Although adoiescents with TSEN showed a similar physical seif-concept and sedentary behavior to adoiescents without TSEN, their leveis of physical activity were significantiy lower, so the role of the PE teacher can be fundamental in modifying physical activity and sport habits in adoiescents with TSEN as well as in organizing more inclusive sport or physical activities.