Physical activity level, life style and sport participation profiles of the students of University of Coimbra

Abstract

Present study evaluates physical activity level, life style habits and sport participation profiles of students of University of Coimbra. Aim of the study was to determine if the students are sufficiently active and if there are any differences according to their academic characteristics such as faculty frequented and cycle of studies. Study was made as an epidemiological study focusing on the issue of increasing physical inactivity in current population. Sample consisted of university students, both genders in the age from 17 to 28 years old. Total number of respondents was 1364 (936 females, 428 males). Instrument used was the IPAQ short form, Portuguese version extended by additional questions asking academic data, life style patterns and sport participation. Data were collected electronically, cleaned, calculated and analyzed in IBM SPSS Statistics 22. Descriptive statistics was used. Physical activity level was moderate in 54, 8%, high in 30, 8% of cases and low only in 14, 4% of students. Majority of students were active enough to reach the health benefits of physical activity. Male students had higher physical activity level than females, higher sport participation, better health status and weight status, higher consumption of tobacco and alcohol and spent less time on sedentary habit. Differences were found among individual faculties and among study cycles. Low physical activity level was increasing with higher cycle of studies. Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical education turned out as the most active both in female and male students.