Relación entre actividad física, salud mental y rendimiento académico en estudiantes de 1° a 4° año de kinesiología de la Universidad Finis Terrae

Abstract

Introduction: Introduction: It has been studied that physical activity has benefits not only on physical condition, but also on mental health and learning. For this reason, the following study aims to quantify the level of physical activity and how it relates to academic performance and mental health, specifically in students of Kinesiology from 1° to 4° Finis Terrae University. Methodology: This study has a quantitative approach, of correlative scope, of nonexperimental type, cross-sectional, correlational-causal and prospective. For this research the instrument called International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQSF) was used. The FA can be expressed in the questionnaire continuously with min/week METs or in categories of low, moderate or high PA. The DASS-21 scale of depression, anxiety and stress was used to measure mental health, which establishes the level of normality or severity of each of the covered pathologies. The solemn notes were extracted from the computer systems of the university and delivered by the Career Management, identifying each student by a code given by the thesis tutor. Conclusions and Results: The results showed high levels of physical activity, especially in second and third year students. Contrary to literature in Chile, the number of students with low levels of physical activity was low. The DASS-21 questionnaire revealed a variability in the levels of anxiety, stress and depression in the four levels of study, highlighting high anxiety values. It was concluded that the mental health of the population studied is affected. In terms of data correlation, despite a tendency can be observed, it was found that a high level of physical activity doesn`t statistically correlate positively with an improvement in mental health. Also, no significant correlations were found between mental health and academic performance, nor between physical activity and academic performance.