ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to examine the physical activity and physical fitness of university students. Four hundred seventy-four apparently healthy university students (167 males; 307 females) answered a physical activity questionnaire and underwent anthropometric and physical fitness assessments. Results indicated that male university students were more physically active (p=0.012) and physically fitter than females. Specifically, male students outperformed female students in the following tests: vertical jump (p=.000), curl-ups (p=0.000), and aerobic output (p=0.000). No significant gender difference was found in upper body flexibility. However, females displayed greater lower body flexibility compared to males (p=0.000). Females also had greater body fat than males (p=0.000). Additionally, higher physical activity was associated with higher aerobic output, leg power, muscular endurance, and lower body fat. Increasing physical activity among university students is important not only to promote physical fitness but also to help students manage the demands of university student life. Strategies to promote increased physical activity among university students should give special attention to female students as they are more likely to be less active than their male counterparts.
Keywords:
Physical activity; Fitness; University students