Lifestyle and Self-Perceived Quality of Life in Sports Students: A Case Study

Abstract

Adolescence has been considered a crucial stage for the adoption of healthy habits such as physical activity. In addition, numerous research studies have shown that physical activity is a positive factor for health behaviors and quality of life. In this sense, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity levels and perceived quality of life in a sample of students studying physical activity and sport. This is a descriptive observational study with a population of physical activity and sports students from the San Pablo High School in Seville, Spain. The participants (N = 86), with a mean age of 18.56 ± 1.88 years, were pursuing professional qualifications in Physical Activity and Sport. They were administered the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) and the SF-36 questionnaire on perceived health status. For data analysis, a correlation analysis (Spearman’s rho) was performed. The results indicate that students attending sports-related vocational training programs engaged in more physical activity (96.9%) than the population average suggested by the World Health Organization (20%). In addition, a direct relationship was shown between participating in physical activity and perceived health. Depending on the intensity of the physical activity, students found less physical interference (IPAQ Vigorous—Physical Function (rho = 0.252; p = 0.019); IPAQ Sedentary—Bodily Pain (rho = 0. 223; p < 0.039); IPAQ Total—Physical Function (rho = 0.256; p = 0.018)) and emotional interference (IPAQ Moderate—Emotional Role (rho = 0.237; p = 0.028)) when performing exercise or activities of daily life; therefore, physical activity appears to be beneficial for self-perception of quality of life.

Scoping Review of Positive Mental Health Research for Students in Vocational Education and Training

“…Kirschner et al (2021) found a significant positive association between physical activity and self-esteem. Similarly, the study by Gavala-Gonzalez et al (2022) suggests an inverse relationship between participation in physical activity and emotional problems. Jensen et al (2022) also highlighted the positive relationship between positive mental health and the likelihood of meeting the recommended standard for physical activity.…”

“…Three of the studies investigated the relationship between aspects of positive mental health and school environment (Gashi & Mojsoska-Blazevski, 2016;Krawczynska & Zawierucha, 2018;Warne et al, 2013). Three studies explored the relationship between aspects of positive mental health and physical activity (Gavala-Gonzalez et al, 2022;Jensen et al, 2022;Kirschner et al, 2021). One study explored the relationship between quality of life and sleep duration (Stheneur et al, 2019).…”

Evaluación de los niveles de actividad física y salud mental en universitarios durante la pandemia SARS-COV2

“…Por tanto, a los datos que mostraron sujetos con inactividad física durante el confi namiento, presentaron niveles elevados de depresión, ansiedad y estrés, así mismo, su percepción en su salud general, bienestar y calidad de vida comparada con el año previo a la pandemia 38,39,41 .…”

“…A día de hoy se encuentra totalmente sustentado científi camente que la práctica de actividad física en niveles moderados, se ubica dentro de los factores determinantes en la prevención de patologías, físicas y psicológicas, por lo que se reitera que es un elemento clave y sustancial en una vida saludable 4,40 . Así mismo los entes sociales y las sociedades tienen que adaptarse a poblaciones cada vez más numerosas donde debe primar la calidad de vida, siendo la calidad de vida, defi nida por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) como "la percepción individual de la propia posición en la vida dentro del contexto del sistema cultural y de valores en que se vive y en relación con sus objetivos, esperanzas, normas y preocupaciones" 6,41 .…”

“…Ante la actual y excepcional situación provocada por el COVID-19, es de suma relevancia conocer y evaluar el estado psicológico de la población, así como los niveles de actividad física, puntualmente en el contexto de los jóvenes universitarios durante el confi namiento 28,41,42 . Por tanto, el objetivo de esta investigación es evaluar los niveles actividad física y salud mental en universitarios durante la pandemia del coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-COV2).…”