An Overview of the Intersections between Leisure and Health in Brazilian Periodicals

Abstract

The relationship between leisure and health cannot be seen as a matter of chance; rather, it must be understood in connection with the transformations in the ways of living, working, and having fun in contemporary society. It is not uncommon to find research that seeks to understand how leisure can improve physical or mental health indicators. When articulating critical understandings of both health and leisure, it becomes clear that neither concept should be reduced to individual or behavioral factors. In light of these considerations, this article aims to analyze Brazilian academic production that addresses the relationship between health and leisure. To this end, a qualitative literature review was conducted, focusing on four national journals: Licere, RBEL, Movimento, and Motrivivência. We found that most of the studies acknowledge the unequal access to leisure, as well as the precariousness of public policies and the existence of socioeconomic barriers. Still, a functionalist view dominates, seeing leisure mainly as a way to improve health rather than as a practice of freedom with many possible meanings.