Association between the level of physical activity and academic performance in first-year students of a Peruvian university

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v60.106394

Keywords:

Physical Activity, Academic Performance, University students, Correlation, Accelerometry

Abstract

Physical activity has been recognized for its positive impact on academic performance, but its specific influence on Peruvian university students has not yet been sufficiently studied. This study aimed to determine the relationship between physical activity (PA) level and academic performance (AP) in first-year students of a private university in Huancayo. A basic quantitative approach with a non-experimental design and descriptive correlational scope was used. The sample included 300 students from the School of Industrial Engineering, selected through random stratified sampling. PA was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in its short version and accelerometry devices to obtain objective measurements. AP was assessed using a 15-item questionnaire covering cognitive learning, motivation, and satisfaction. The results showed that 55.6% of the students reported average levels of PA and AP, and a significant relationship was found between both variables (p<0.001). These findings underscore the importance of integrating PA into educational programs to improve students' academic performance and overall well-being. Despite the significant findings, the study has the limitation of relying on self-reports to measure academic performance, which could introduce bias. Future studies should use objective measurement methods for both physical activity and academic performance.

Keywords: Physical activity, Academic performance, College students, Correlation, Accelerometry

Author Biographies

  • Javier Eduardo Curo Yllaconza, Peruvian University Los Andes

    Bachelor of Nutrition from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Master of Education with a major in higher education teaching, Doctor of Educational Sciences. Extensive professional experience as a consultant in nutrition projects, researcher in non-governmental organizations; currently dedicated to university teaching for more than 12 years, teaching subjects such as: research methodology, research workshop, thesis seminar, public health and epidemiology; in addition, he has extensive experience in advising undergraduate theses and publishing in university journals.

  • Diana Lucia Curo Valley, Peruvian University Los Andes

    Graduate in Human Nutrition.

  • Renee Amparo Elescano Valley, Private University of Huancayo Franklin Roosevelt

    Bachelor's degree in Nutrition from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Master's degree in Public Health; with a major in Health Services Management. Doctor of Health Sciences; with a specialty in clinical nutrition with a major in oncological nutrition. Secondary studies in university teaching and postgraduate studies in: Public Nutrition and Education, Curriculum and Didactic Innovation and University Teaching.

  • Tania Luz Vilchez Cave, Peruvian University Los Andes

    Graduate in Nursing, currently working in the field of university teaching as a professor at the Faculty of Nursing of the Peruvian University of Los Andes

  • Hilario Romero Giron, Peruvian University Los Andes

    Entrepreneurial professional, leader and with the ability to work in a team. Doctor of Law (UPLA). Master in Law and Political Science, with a mention in Criminal Sciences. Lawyer. With a second specialty in University Didactics. Candidate for the degree of Master in Accounting (UNCP). With more than 8 years of experience in University Teaching. Currently he is an assistant professor at the Peruvian University Los Andes in the position of General Director of Administration. Author of several books with a Legal Deposit Certificate at the BNP. Author and co-author of scientific articles. Author of technological software registered with INDECOPI.

  • Jean Francisco Borja Inga, Peruvian University Los Andes

    Licensed in Law.

  • Ana Monica Huaraca Garcia, Peruvian University Los Andes

    PhD student in Educational Sciences at the National University of the Center of Peru (UNCP), Master in Education (UCV), Degree in Anthropology (UNCP), very interested in forming research groups. Currently, working on topics related to Bienestar Universitario and research.
    - ANTHROPOLOGIST
    - LICENSED IN ANTHROPOLOGY
    - MAGISTER IN EDUCATION
    - TEACHER AT THE PERUANA UNIVERSITY OF LOS ANDES

  • Candy Cary Dear Baldeon, Peruvian University Los Andes

    Professor at the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences of the Peruvian University of Los Andes.

  • Yesser Soriano Quispe, Peruvian University Los Andes

    Master in Education with a mention in Teaching in Higher Education.

  • Liliana Ines Romero Nunez, Continental University (UC)

    Independent consultant specializing in the development of soft skills in individuals and organizations.

    With more than 10 years of experience designing and delivering training programs in areas such as leadership, coaching, emotional intelligence, stress management and mindfulness.

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Published

01-11-2024

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Vol. 60 (2024)

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Original Research Article

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How to Cite

Curo Yllaconza, J. E., Curo Valley, D. L., Elescano Valley, R. A., Vilchez Cave, T. L., Romero Giron, H., Borja Inga, J. F., Huaraca Garcia, A. M., Dear Baldeon, C. C., Soriano Quispe, Y., Romero Nunez, L. I., & Dávila-Morán, R. C. (2024). Association between the level of physical activity and academic performance in first-year students of a Peruvian university. Retos, 60, 704-710. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v60.106394