Physical exercise practice and associated factors among undergraduate students from a southern region of Brazil

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the study was to analyse the prevalence and factors associated with not performing physical exercise in undergraduate students.MethodsThe sample was composed of 2738 undergraduate students of Londrina city, Paraná, Brazil. The dependent variables were: not performing physical exercise of moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes per week; not performing vigorous physical exercise for at least 20 minutes per week; not performing muscular strengthening exercises (8–12 repetitions) in a week. The independent variables were gender, age, skin colour, marital status, housing, study pattern, year of course, paid work, and area of the course. Odds ratio (<i>OR</i>) was estimated by multivariate analysis with the use of binary logistic regression.ResultsThe prevalence of undergraduate students not performing physical exercise of moderate intensity, of vigorous intensity, or muscular strengthening exercises was 47.3, 61.0, and 66.2%, respectively. Female sex was associated with a risk of not performing moderate physical exercise (<i>OR</i> = 1.23), vigorous physical exercise (<i>OR</i> = 1.47), and strengthening exercises (<i>OR</i> = 1.22). Undergraduate students of exact sciences (<i>OR</i> = 1.40 and 1.52), juridical sciences (<i>OR</i> = 1.48 and 1.51), and humanities (<i>OR</i> = 1.45 and 1.52) were at risk of not performing physical exercise of moderate or vigorous intensity, respectively. Being a 2nd (<i>OR</i> = 0.79), 3rd (<i>OR</i> = 0.74), or 4th (<i>OR</i> = 0.71) year student was bound with a lower likelihood of not performing physical exercise of moderate intensity.ConclusionsIntervention programmes with the aim of promoting physical exercise practice in undergraduate students should consider gender, year, and area of the course.