Baixos níveis de aptidão física relacionada à saúde em universitários

Abstract

Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar a prevalência de baixos níveis de aptidão física relacionada à saúde em universitários, quanto aos componentes músculo-esqueléticos (motores). Participaram da amostra 234 estudantes (112 moças e 122 rapazes, entre 17 e 29 anos), matriculados em diversos cursos da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Foi utilizada uma bateria de testes proposta pela Sociedade Canadense de Fisiologia do Exercício. Os testes propostos foram: força de preensão manual; extensão dos braços; flexão do tronco; impulsão vertical; resistência abdominal e força dorsal. Os resultados apontam uma prevalência de aptidão física abaixo dos indicadores recomendados à saúde de 16,6% (13,4% feminino e 19,6% masculino). Especificamente, observaram-se os seguintes índices de prevalência de universitários que não atingiram os critérios recomendados: 69,2% para a potência de membros inferiores, 62% para extensão de braços, 38,4% para a preensão manual, 13,2% para flexão de tronco, 11,1% para força dorsal e 10,7% para força abdominal. Em se tratando de indivíduos jovens, observou-se que boa parte dos universitários encontra-se com baixos níveis de aptidão física, sugerindo a importância da implantação de programas para o desenvolvimento e/ou manutenção da aptidão física destes estudantes, fornecendo subsídios para que estes adotem um estilo de vida mais ativo e saudável por toda a sua vida

Health-related physical fitness in men and women aged 17-26 years

“…The analysis of individual indicators of physical fitness showed males performed better in the motor tests ABDT and 12MRW whereas females showed better results in the SRT test, corroborating previously published data. [15][16][17] In addition, significantly higher proportion of males met the criteria for cardiorespiratory fitness confirming previous reports. 15,16 However, it should be noted the proportions of both female and male subjects meeting the criteria for cardiorespiratory fitness were the lowest.…”

“…[15][16][17] In addition, significantly higher proportion of males met the criteria for cardiorespiratory fitness confirming previous reports. 15,16 However, it should be noted the proportions of both female and male subjects meeting the criteria for cardiorespiratory fitness were the lowest. This is a concerning finding since the literature shows a strong correlation between adequate cardiorespiratory fitness and good body function.…”

“…The ABDT was the test of choice to assess strength and endurance for its association with the prevention of postural problems and musculoskeletal injuries and potential for predicting mortality risk. 28,29 The results of the SRT showed good flexibility among both female and male subjects, but they are not corroborated by other studies 15,16 that found a large proportion of subjects with "low levels of flexibility." These inconsistent results may be due to different cutoff points used as fitness criteria across studies.…”

“…[21][22][23] With regard to muscle strength and endurance, although this study found a higher proportion of males meeting the established criteria, our results are consistent with other studies. 15,16 However, it is noteworthy the large proportion of both female and male subjects meeting the criteria in this test. The differences between males and females in the ABDT may be partly explained by different levels of physical activity as reported in previous studies, 24,25 and greater engagement of males in high-intensity activities than females 26 -low-intensity activity is associated with lower levels of muscular fitness.…”

“…14 However, only a small number of studies has investigated physical fitness in young adults. [15][16][17] It is noteworthy since many investigations focusing on different kinds of training programs often include in their samples young adults largely recruited from colleges and who are mostly undergraduate students of Physical Education and Sports.…”