Health-related physical condition variables in university students

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the health of individuals over a sample of university students, by measuring variables related to fitness as a basis for reorienting physical activity programmes offered by the university sports services to optimise healthy physical condition of its users. We developed a descriptive study with a sample of 217 students of the University of Vigo applying battery tests AFISAL-INEFC variables measuring health-related physical condition variables: body composition, muscular strength, flexibility and maximal oxygen uptake. Since not all variables are normally distributed we used the nonparametric tests Mann-Whitney U and Chi-Square (χ2), using a significance level of p <0.05. The results showed that in the hand-grip variables, peak oxygen consumption and lower body explosive power, women had a higher percentage of individuals with low fitness. The opposite situation occurred with the variable of trunk flexibility and hamstring muscles where men showed a lesser capacity. From a global view, the lower body explosive strength was the variable in which the university had a worse condition with 65.3% of subjects with low fitness. It would be positive to increase healthy physical activity programmes promote exercise in our target population (university students), particularly those affecting strength capacity and flexibility in both upper and lower body.