O impacto da prática de atividade física na qualidade de vida dos acadêmicos de educação física da Universidade Estadual do Maranhão - São João Dos Patos

Abstract

Physical activity is vital at any age, as it is a means of improving health and providing quality of life for everyone, and it is also a great way of preventing non-communicable diseases. In addition, it improves the cognitive aspect, which allows students to have more agile reflexes and greater concentration in school or academic activities. This study sought to verify the influence of regular physical exercise on the quality of life of students in the Physical Education Bachelor's degree course at the State University of Maranhão. A field study was developed with students of both sexes enrolled in all periods of the Physical Education Bachelor's degree course at UEMA, São João dos Patos campus. The International Physical Activity Level Assessment Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Assessment Scale (PSQI) were used. In addition to regular physical activity, it is essential to highlight the role of sleep in the quality of life of students. Adequate sleep is essential for physical and mental recovery, good academic performance and maintenance of general health. The study revealed that the majority of students are "active" or "very active", as expected for the course. However, there was also a focus on "insufficiently active" and "inactive" students, indicating the need for more incentives to practice regular exercise. An increase in physical activity was observed in the final periods, possibly due to greater professional maturity. In the first semester, four students (12.5%) reported poor sleep quality. In the third semester, this number increased to six students, representing 28.57% of the class. In the fifth semester, four students (26.67%) reported poor sleep, while in the sixth semester, three students (20%) were identified with this condition. Finally, in the eighth semester, two students (18.18%) reported unsatisfactory sleep quality. These results demonstrate that, despite variations between semesters, a portion of students face difficulties related to sleep quality, which can directly impact their academic performance, as well as their physical and mental health. The study reinforces the importance of institutional strategies for health promotion and suggests that future research should expand the sample and include variables such as diet, mental health and academic workload