Perceptions of physical education professionals about functional training

Abstract

Functional Training is a flexible, customizable, practitioner-focused program that involves natural, dynamic performance movements, focusing on activities of daily living. The modality is supported by the improvement of emotional aspects that lead to functional capacity. Despite this potential, what is perceived is the development of the displaced modality, with random training for large and heterogeneous groups in circuits. Thus, what can happen is the lack of attention to the student, the practice supported by empiricism, increasing the possibility of failure in the program and occurrence of injuries, withdrawal from the activity and a possible distorted view of the modality. Therefore, the study aims to analyze the perceptions of Physical Education Professionals in relation to Functional Training and its conditions for health. The qualitative scientific track was guided by the procedures of a descriptive-exploratory study, based on a semi-structured interview with twelve bachelors in Physical Education currently working with Functional Training. To understand the data, an analysis was performed by thematic categories. From the results, a wide variety of perceptions about Functional Training were observed, many of which are based on the current literature in the area, mainly with regard to the objectives of the modality. However, when finding the answers about the format of the classes, few interviewees build up the classes according to what is expected from the previously given answers. It is concluded that, in many cases, theoretical expositions about Functional Training have not yet found the development of classes in a practical way.