Physical activity level in Ecuadorian university students before and during confinement

Abstract

The WHO established a world health emergency, confinement and social distancing for COVID-19. The purpose of the study was to determine the level of physical activity (PA) in Ecuadorian university students before and during confinement. A total of 1033 students (446 males and 587 females) from the Universities of Cuenca and the Catholic University of Cuenca, with a mean age of 23.23 years, participated in the study. The sample was selected by convenience, with a confidence level of 95% and a sampling error of 5%. The short version of the IPAQ questionnaire was used, which was applied online. The data were analyzed with the SPSS program, applying the Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistics, Pearson's coefficient test, t-test and independent samples tests. The students increased their weight (31.95%); in PA before and during quarantine by sex, there is a low but significant correlation; while, by age, there is a significant correlation in intense PA before confinement; and, in moderate PA and walking during isolation. Likewise, there is an increase in weight, a significant decrease in intense PA, being greater in men, slight in moderate PA, and in walking decreased in both sexes, and the time spent sitting increased. Confinement had a negative influence on the decrease in PA practice and increased sedentary lifestyle; women adapted better to confinement than men.