Comparison of Sports Habits and Attitudes in University Students of Physical and Sports Education of Mostaganem (Algeria) and Physical Activity and Sport Sciences of León (Spain)

Abstract

BackgroundIn their professional practice, teachers can exert a strong influence on students, promoting healthy habits for life through the example of their own lifestyle. The aim of this study was to compare sports habits and attitudes in Physical Activity and Sports Education students at the universities of León (Spain) and Mostaganem (Algeria).MethodsWe administered the “Motivations and Attitudes Toward Physical Activity and Sports” questionnaire (in Spanish MIAFD) to 125 Algerian university students from the Institute for Physical Education and Sport (age: 21.87 ± 2.51) and 122 Spanish university students (age: 22.98 ± 2.36) from the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Science.ResultsChi-square tests showed significant differences (p < 0.001) with a large effect size (Cramer’s V: 0.650) in perceptions of sport and satisfaction with participation.ConclusionThe students from Mostaganem and Leon show many similarities, such as the number of female students in physical education and sport is quite small compared to male students. Both consider that universities should improve sports facilities to promote good practice. The practice of sports by our university students is far superior to that of students with other degrees, suggesting that they will set a good example of healthy habits once they enter their profession. Nevertheless, the participation of female Algerian students in sport was lower than that of Spanish students, and students at León showed more intrinsic motivation for participating in sport than their counterparts at Mostaganem.

Academic performance, physical activity, sleep and gender in university students during the pandemic-2020

“…Por otra parte, el alto nivel de actividad física durante la pandemia en nuestros universitarios, puede responder a una necesidad de los estudiantes de abarcar todas las exigencias propias de la carga académica, la motivación y auto-determinación para mantener este hábito (Zubiaur et al, 2021), como a su vez una estrategia para disminuir su ansiedad y estrés durante el confinamiento al ser conscientes del beneficio en su salud mental (Martinez et al, 2020;Planchuelo-Gómez et al, 2020). Así también, puede responder a la necesidad de mantenerse activos físicamente, lo cual se refleja en las actividades que de preferencia desarrollaron durante este tiempo, adecuándose a las condiciones y limitaciones de espacio en sus hogares.…”

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“…On the other hand, the high level of physical activity in our university students during the pandemic may respond to a need of students to meet all the demands of the academic load, motivation, and self-determination to maintain this habit (Zubiaur et al, 2021), as well as a strategy to reduce their anxiety and stress during confinement by being aware of the benefit to their mental health . Likewise, it can respond to the need to remain physically active, which is reflected in the activities they preferably developed during this time, adapting to the conditions and limitations of space in their homes.…”

“…Por otra parte, el alto nivel de actividad física durante la pandemia en nuestros universitarios, puede responder a una necesidad de los estudiantes de abarcar todas las exigencias propias de la carga académica, la motivación y auto-determinación para mantener este hábito (Zubiaur et al, 2021), como a su vez una estrategia para disminuir su ansiedad y estrés durante el confinamiento al ser conscientes del beneficio en su salud mental . Así también, puede responder a la necesidad de mantenerse activos físicamente, lo cual se refleja en las actividades que de preferencia desarrollaron durante este tiempo, adecuándose a las condiciones y limitaciones de espacio en sus hogares.…”

Healthy Lifestyles in Italian and Latvian University Students, According to Demographics, Study Course, and Nationality

“…Physical activity of university students has been largely investigated in scientific literature [3,5,6,17,22,23,29] also comparing different geographical provenience [22]. Significant associations were established between physical inactivity and the time exposed to screens, time studying, feeling low and smoking, and anxiety [30,31]. Physical activity patterns are also influenced by the socio-cultural context, for example in a study performed in Arab Emirates, showed a marked difference in male and female students about physical activity [32].…”