Physical Activity Practice and Healthy Lifestyles Related to Resting Heart Rate in Health Sciences First-Year Students

Abstract

The expression lifestyle describes a frame of expressed behaviors, usually in the form of patterns of consumption, that defines how an individual or social group fits into society. It presents as a focus of interest by researchers in this field, who classically favor the study of alcohol consumption, tobacco, eating habits, and physical activity. The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between physical activity and healthy lifestyles, especially in terms of eating habits, tobacco, alcohol consumption, resting habits, and resting heart rate (RHR) in Health Sciences first-year students. A total of 177 students of both genders participated, of whom 31 (17.5%) were male and 146 (82.5%) were female, with a mean age of 20.20 years, from 18 to 30 years. The data collection instrument used was the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire (EVS), using SPSS 21.0 for descriptive statistics and the Cronbach α to evaluate the internal consistency of the questionnaires. A level of significance was adopted with a margin of error of 5% for a probability of at least 95% using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov technique and Mann-Whitney test for comparisons between practitioners’ students and genders. The results obtained demonstrate more favorable results in all variables in students practicing physical activity with significant differences in eating habits and RHR. In terms of gender, there were significant differences in all variables except for eating habits. We conclude that students practicing physical activity present more favorable results in terms of lifestyles combined with lower RHR values, considered as positive factors in terms of quality of life.

Lifelong Healthy Habits and Lifestyles

“…All these factors determined a more self-determined motivation of the students towards this field, which lead to a greater prediction of variables that enhance healthy lifestyles. Regarding the relationship between gender and motivation, significant differences were found in another study [46] where female gender had higher levels of external regulation. Regarding the basic psychological needs, there were significant differences between genders, since the male gender presented higher mean values in the three dimensions: autonomy, competence and relation, that is, the male students felt able to obtain a positive relationship with others.…”

“…Women had a more balanced diet, they also felt that they were able to have more regular sleep habits. Continuing with gender comparison, [46] male students were identified with more favorable values for eating habits, resting habits, and Resting Heart Rate than female students. However, male students had higher values of alcohol and tobacco consumption with significant differences [88].…”

“…Regarding the basic psychological needs, there were significant differences between genders, since the male gender presented higher mean values in the three dimensions: autonomy, competence and relation, that is, the male students felt able to obtain a positive relationship with others. According to that, male students present higher values of life satisfaction, women are more vigorous and have higher levels of mental health, since physical activity is an essential factor for their physical and psychological well-being [46]. However, it was the male students who presented higher mean values of life satisfaction.…”

“…More studies reveal [45] that male individuals have a higher quality of life in general, when compared to the female gender. For the realization, intervention, practice or adoption of behaviors aimed at the feasibility of other healthy lifestyles, it is necessary to feel and realize that there must be an internal and personal change, that is, a motivation for such behaviors [46]. It is important to understand the concept of motivation, since it is one of the most central concerns of any human activity, proving to be beneficial both at a biological and psychological level [47], as well as giving energy and direction to behavior [48], assuming a leading role in all contexts of human life [49].…”

Selected morphological, cardiovascular and neuromuscular risk profiles among asymptomatic sedentary men performing Islamic prayer

“…A larger sample to investigate the relationship would be warranted 36. Through this association, lower RHRs linked to Salaah might improve muscle function in everyday activities 37. It is also important to note that the regulation of RHR aids in performing isometric neuromuscular activities 38…”