Educação física escolar x transtorno de ansiedade social em adolescentes: uma revisão narrativa

Abstract

Brazil is the country with the highest number of people suffering from anxiety in the world, and social anxiety significantly affects the lives of young people, impacting their interpersonal relationships and academic performance. The practice of physical activities has been identified as an effective strategy for reducing anxiety, making Physical Education (PE) an important resource for promoting physical and psychological well-being within the school environment. This study aimed to analyze whether participation in Physical Education classes reduces the levels of social anxiety symptoms in adolescents. It is a narrative literature review designed to examine scientific findings on the topic. Most of the selected articles emphasize the relationship between School Physical Education and Social Anxiety Disorder in adolescents, highlighting the importance of this subject as a tool for young people's mental health. The review includes studies published between 1985 and 2024, allowing for an updated and comprehensive analysis of the theme. The results highlight the benefits of Physical Education in combating anxiety disorders, reinforcing its relevance in promoting emotional health and improving students' quality of life. Thus, it is concluded that engaging in physical activities in the school context can be an effective intervention to minimize the impacts of social anxiety in adolescents, strengthening socio-emotional development and contributing to a more welcoming and healthy school environment.