Objective:

To determine the level of physical activity in a group of university students by means of an indirect method.

Materials and methods:

A study with a quantitative approach and descriptive scope had a non-probabilistic representative sample of 304 subjects, of whom 162 (53.2 %) were women and 142 (46.7 %) men; the instrument used was the GPAQ Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, thereby assessing the METS in the categories: commuting, work and free time, as well as time spent in sedentary behavior.

Results:

On the FA levels at a general level, 62.5 % of the students evaluated presented a high level, 12.2 % moderate and 25.3 % low. Regarding sedentary behavior, the general average of those valued in said variable was 6 hours a day. In the distribution by gender, men presented a higher level of PA in relation to women (p<0.05). But the latter, in turn, had a longer sedentary PA time than the men (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

An associated relationship was found between gender and PA levels, this being higher in the case of men; on the other hand, the study plans at the university level should promote and include PA within comprehensive training, placing greater emphasis on female students.

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