Work and health of the physical educator in gym: a contradiction at the heart of the profession

Abstract

Sport and physical activity in Brazil are expanding in number of participants and diversification of activities. This expansion includes the branch of fitness facility, in which Brazil is fourth in the world market. Although the Physical Educator (PE) could be benefited by this expansion, this does not occur. And even being highlighted as a promoter of health and quality of life, there are little research on how the health and quality of life of PE are affected by their professional acting and working conditions. The objective of this research was to bring for scientific evidence some aspects of professional acting and working conditions of PE that work in fitness facility of Brasília (DF), being used descriptive research with semi-open questionnaire (n = 53). It was found that the rapid growth of fitness facility, including these places as the preferred locus to work of newly formed, does not correspond to better working conditions for PEs, due the presence of informality, precariousness, intensification and flexibilization of work, leading PE to work at various jobs [PEs have an average of two jobs (54.7%), and others PEs have 4 jobs (9.4%)], causing wear to your health, a contradiction to the essence of the profession. We denote the working conditions are not always favorable, but masked by the personal fulfillment of the vocational choice of profession. Low awareness, mobilization and criticality of PEs face this reality was verified, although some have indicated a desire to abandon the profession. The establishing a new contractuality is required.