Physical inactivity contributed to a significant mortality rate between 1990 and 2017 in Brazil. Professors who do not practice physical activity (PA) have greater stress, worse quality of life and health. On the other hand, the practice of physical activity has a protective effect on physical and mental health.

To identify which factors, predict the maintenance of PA over one year among professors.

This longitudinal study used an electronic form. Baseline data were collected from May to December 2022 and a 12-month follow-up from May to December 2023. Professors with exclusive dedication of 40 hours per week in Brazilian public higher education institutions (HEIs) were invited to participate mainly by email. PA was assessed using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and classified as active or sedentary. For this study, only cases of active professors in the baseline study data were selected. Logistic regression analyses were performed with each of the following variables: personal (sex; age; preschool age of children; family income; body mass index; satisfaction with: sleep, activities of daily living, work capacity, self-esteem, personal relationships, sexual activity; social support; home environment; accessibility to health and social care; and transport), health conditions (hypothyroidism; arterial hypertension; low back pain; sleep apnea; obesity; menopause; depression; anxiety disorder) and psychosocial risk factors (symptoms of stress and burnout (physical exhaustion or emotional exhaustion), work-family conflict, emotional work demands, and quantitative work demands).

A total of 451 professors participated in the study, with a mean age of 49.5 years (±9.7). Most professors lived in the state of São Paulo (25.2%), were male (52.4%), white (72%), lived with a partner (69%), and 64% had children, of which 10.6% were of preschool age. The majority had a doctorate (90%), had a family income less than or equal to 12 minimum wages (50.7%), worked in federal HEIs (67.6%), in graduate programs (61.8%), and were at the current HEI more than 10 years (64.6%). Most professors were overweight (56.1%), non-smokers (95.8%), and had at least one of the eight medical diagnoses assessed (60.4%) at baseline. According to the 12-month follow-up, 13.3% of professors became sedentary. Among personal factors, satisfaction with activities of daily living (p = 0.010; OR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.19-3.56) and work capacity (p = 0.006; OR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.24-3.73) showed a significant association with PA in the 12-month follow-up. Among health conditions, only hypothyroidism showed a significant association (p < 0.001; OR = 0,25; 95% CI: 0,12-0,54). Among psychosocial risk factors, physical exhaustion (p = 0,003; OR = 0,33; 95% CI: 0,16-0,69) and quantitative work demands (p = 0,044; OR = 0,50; 95% CI: 0,26-0,98) showed significant associations.

Professors at psychosocial risk for quantitative demands, those with physical exhaustion or diagnosed with hypothyroidism are less likely to remain active in one-year follow-up. Professors who are satisfied with their ability to perform daily activities and those who are satisfied with their ability to work are more likely to remain active.

This study offers valuable insights into how to maintain professors&apos; PA through improved working conditions, psychosocial support, health promotion, and increased job satisfaction.