Perception of health of undergraduate students of the University of Tolima, users of the gym in relation to their level of physical activity

Abstract

The perception of health is a multifactorial and multidimensional parameter that not only refers to the absence of disease but also to a much broader context (physical, corporeal, psychological and psychosocial). This research addresses the issue from the context of undergraduate students of the University of Tolima, users of the gym, relating them to their level of physical activity, because worldwide the levels of sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity are very high, being the cause of different diseases, among the most common we find obesity, cardiovascular, type II diabetes and some types of cancer. The main objective of the study was to assess the health status of undergraduate students who use the gymnasium of the University of Tolima, in relation to the level of physical activity. A methodology was proposed that corresponds to a descriptive study, observational design and cross-sectional section. The results indicate that a higher level of physical activity is associated with a better perception of general health and better scores in most dimensions of the SF-36, especially in physical function, physical role, emotional role, social function, vitality, and mental health. According to the analysis carried out, it is concluded that performing recurrent practices of vigorous-high physical activity gives a better perception of health compared to a moderate practice, this being the result that supports the scientific community in its numerous studies on the benefits of exercise and physical activity on physical, emotional, social and mental.