Physical exercise and university students:

quality of life, anxiety and other perspectives

Abstract

The objective was to investigate the effects of the inclusion of an individualized physical exercise program on physical, social, emotional, quality of life and anxiety aspects of university students. The research had a quantitative and qualitative approach and used both tools in data collection and analysis. Eleven undergraduate students aged between 19 and 36 years old participated in the research, who were evaluated for quality of life (QoL - SF36) and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - STAI) in two moments: before and after participation in an individualized exercise program. In the post moment, a focus group (GF) was carried out to raise the subjects' perceptions about the effects perceived as a result of the exercises. The results did not reveal significant differences in the domains of QoL and trait and state anxiety scores, in the comparison between the pre and post-training moments. In the analysis of the size of the effect, a moderate effect was observed in the mental health and emotional aspects domains. The results also revealed multiple benefits; and the most frequent were: QoL, disposition, stress and anxiety control, expansion of social contacts/new friends, physical fitness, reduction of pain and injuries, better management of daily concerns/tranquility and sleep quality. The set of these components together demonstrate the importance and scope of physical exercise programs for university students.