Frequency and duration of physical activity practice of university teachers and servants

Abstract

Physical inactivity is considered a risk factor with unfavorable conditions to health. This study aimed at comparing the frequency and duration of physical activity practice between the students and staff of the university known as Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF). The sample comprised 483 students, 49 professors and 153 subjects of the administrative staff. The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and a sociodemographic data questionnaire were used. The results showed that 61.8% of the participants were more physically active, and highlighted that women practice more moderate activities, whereas men do more vigorous ones, in addition to the fact that the individuals inserted in the human field with master and doctorate degrees practice less walking in days and minutes per week. In conclusion, when considering the frequency and duration of physical activity practice, the students were more active than the professors and the administrative staff; moreover, the individuals with master and doctorate degrees who are inserted in the human field were less active in walking.