Abstract

CASTANEDA-VAZQUEZ, Carolina; CAMPOS-MESA, María del Carmen  and  CASTILLO-ANDRES, Óscar Del. Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health in University Students. rev.fac.med. [online]. 2016, vol.64, n.2, pp.277-284. ISSN 0120-0011.  https://doi.org/10.15446/revfacmed.v64n2.53068.

Background. There is irrefutable evidence regarding the benefits of regular physical activity in terms of health condition. Ojective. To assess the physical activity level of students from University of Seville and to determine its association with self-rated health, as well as differences by gender and age. Materials and Methods. A transversal study applied to a sample of 1085 students (569 women and 516 me), with a random and stratified sampling design by faculty and sex in which an ad hoc questionnaire that considered all study variables. The sample age mean was 21 years old, σ=3.05). Results. Results showed that 46.2% of students practice physical activity, but only 54.8% of them do it according to the American College of Sports Medicine recommendations. Those who abide by these recommendations point out to have a better self-rated health than those who practice physical activity without taking into account such recommendations (p=0.001). Likewise, men stated a better self-rated health than women did (p=0.004). Conclusion. Due to the meaningful relationship between physical activity and self-rated health, university students are a key population for promoting sport practice, especially among women, in order to try to avoid dropping out of sport.

Keywords : Motor Activity; Health; Students.

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