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Physical Activity among Spanish Undergraduate Students: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Author

Listed:
  • Jorge Acebes-Sánchez

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV), Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain
    Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Ignacio Diez-Vega

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid (UEM), Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain)

  • Gabriel Rodriguez-Romo

    (Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
    Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), 28029 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Achieving the recommended levels of physical activity (PA) is associated with better health. Despite this, most undergraduate students report low levels of PA. This study aimed to assess the achievement of recommended PA levels in a wide sample of undergraduate students from Madrid ( N = 2960). Overall PA and leisure-time PA (LTPA) were measured with the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Descriptive analyses and logistic regression were performed. It was revealed that 22.4% and 55.6% of overall PA and LTPA, respectively, did not achieve World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. When PA was measured as overall PA, the achievement of the recommended level was positively predicted by male sex; a Body Mass Index (BMI) indicative of normal weight or being overweight; spending less time sitting or reclining; work; and studying health science, social sciences, engineering, or architecture (all p < 0.001; r 2 = 0.075). Using LTPA, the positive predictors of achieving recommended PA levels were male sex, having a BMI indicative of normal weight or being overweight, work, studying at a public university, and studying health science ( r 2 = 0.048). These findings suggest that universities should implement strategies to promote PA.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge Acebes-Sánchez & Ignacio Diez-Vega & Gabriel Rodriguez-Romo, 2019. "Physical Activity among Spanish Undergraduate Students: A Descriptive Correlational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:15:p:2770-:d:254348
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Verónica Varela-Mato & José M. Cancela & Carlos Ayan & Vicente Martín & Antonio Molina, 2012. "Lifestyle and Health among Spanish University Students: Differences by Gender and Academic Discipline," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-14, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Patricia C. García-Suárez & Iván Rentería & Priscilla García Wong-Avilés & Fernanda Franco-Redona & Luis M. Gómez-Miranda & Jorge A. Aburto-Corona & Eric P. Plaisance & José Moncada-Jiménez & Alberto , 2020. "Hemodynamic Adaptations Induced by Short-Term Run Interval Training in College Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-11, June.
    2. George Danut Mocanu & Gabriel Murariu & Dan Munteanu, 2021. "The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors on the Forms of Leisure for the Students at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-24, November.
    3. Jorge Acebes-Sánchez & Cecilia Blanco-García & Ignacio Diez-Vega & Daniel Mon-López & Gabriel Rodriguez-Romo, 2021. "Emotional Intelligence in Physical Activity, Sports and Judo: A Global Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-12, August.
    4. Elena Druică & Rodica Ianole-Călin & Monica Sakizlian & Daniela Aducovschi & Remus Dumitrescu & Robert Sakizlian, 2021. "Testing the Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model during the COVID-19 Pandemic, with Partial Least Squares Second-Order Latent Constructs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Rianne H. J. Golsteijn & Hieronymus J. M. Gijselaers & Hans H. C. M. Savelberg & Amika S. Singh & Renate H. M. de Groot, 2021. "Differences in Habitual Physical Activity Behavior between Students from Different Vocational Education Tracks and the Association with Cognitive Performance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-17, March.

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