Abstract
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n5p577 The practice of leisure physical activity represents a behavior that must be monitored in different population groups. The objectives of this study were i) to compare the prevalence of leisure-time physical activity in university students along the survey years in three separate years; ii) to analyze the factors associated with practice of leisure time physical activity in each survey. Three surveys in a college institution in northeastern Brazil in 2010, 2012 and 2014 were carried out. The dependent variable was practice of leisure-time physical activity. Exploratory variables were sociodemographic factors and link with the university. The prevalence was compared using the chi-square test for linear trend and association for Prevalence Ratio. Participation was of 1,084, 1,085 and 1,041 college students in 2010, 2012 and 2014, respectively. The prevalence of leisure-time physical activity was approximately 50% in the three surveys. Women were less active in leisure time on the three surveys. In each survey, associations were different in relation the courses, and Chemistry – teacher training, Computer Science, Pedagogy – teacher training and Linguistics (no specialization) students showed lower levels of leisure-time physical activity and Biomedicine, Geography – Bachelor, Physical Education – teacher training and Geography – teacher training students were more active in leisure time. It was concluded that there was a stabilization of the prevalence of active leisure over time and that women showed lower prevalence of leisure-time physical activity in the three surveys.
Highlights
The entry of young individuals into university is a time of adjustment of lifestyles, social engagement, and greater possibility of negative behaviors such as low levels of physical activity, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and consumption of alcoholic beverages[1]
The prevalence of active students during leisure time was similar among surveys; there was a decrease for Geography (B) undergraduate students and increased for those of Linguistics course (HI)
Among the factors associated with leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) practice, it is emphasized that women had lower chances of adoption of this behavior, as shown in the three surveys; in 2010, students of Chemistry (TT) and Computer Science courses had lower LTPA prevalence, but those of Biomedicine were more active in leisure time; in the 2012 survey, students of Geography (B) and Physical Education (TT) courses were more active during leisure time; in the 2014 survey, students of Geography (TT) course were more active in leisure time and students of Pedagogy and Linguistics (SH) were less active during leisure time
Summary
The entry of young individuals into university is a time of adjustment of lifestyles, social engagement, and greater possibility of negative behaviors such as low levels of physical activity, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and consumption of alcoholic beverages[1]. Such behavior acquired at this stage of life can be difficult to be changed[2,3]. When comparing the level of physical activity among undergraduate degrees, studies seem to indicate that Physical Education students[5,12] are more active than students of other courses
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