Anthropometric profile analysis, physical activity level and physical fitness in students from a public university

Physical activity reduces the cardiovascular risk, contributes to control of body weight and improves physical fitness. For this reason, this study searched to understand physical activity, physical fitness and anthropometric profile of students from a public university. Quantitative descriptive research was made through a cross-sectional study with 87 participants. The tools were IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) short version and PARQ (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire) questionnaires, as well as anthropometric analysis and 1RM physical fitness tests based on Dohoney's equation, resistance by ASTRAND protocol and flexibility by means of Macrae test. The variables were analyzed in Bioestat 5.0 using the Mann Whitney, Spearman and ANOVA tests, considering a significance level of 95% (p<0.05). It was identified 21.84% of the participants were overweight and 55.17% were considered able to perform physical exercises. The following correlations were observed VO2 max x body mass index (r=-0.38), 1RM upper limbs x body mass index (r=0.38) and 1RM lower limbs x body mass index (r = 0.55). In conclusion, the majority of students were normal BMI, active or very active in relation to the practice of physical activity and were adequate flexibility level.