Team sports as a protective factor against mental health problems and suicidal ideation in adolescents

Introduction. Adolescents who practice sports have better mental health indicators. Objective. To analyze the association between different types of physical activity (systematized exercise, individual, and collective sports), health, suicidal ideation in adolescents. Method. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 666 Brazilian adolescents (14-19 y.o.) attending high schools selected using random cluster sampling. The indicators analyzed were evaluated through Self Reporting Questionnaire Strengths Difficulties Questionnaire, including ideation. also obtained information questionnaires. Results. There was higher prevalence related to disorders (54.2% vs. 32.5%), difficulties (79.6% 48.4%), thoughts (22.9% 11.4%) girls than boys (p () .001 for all). engaged more team (41.0 23.8), whereas performed exercise (45.1 26.5; p .001). Discussion conclusion. helps develop spirit, stimulates social interaction, develops reasoning emotional intelligence. Boys play fewer symptoms common disorders, lower problems, less physically inactive boys.