Physical activity in university student athletes, prior and in confinement due to pandemic associated with COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: To compare the levels of physical activity in university athletes before and during the confinement due to pandemic associated with COVID-19. Method: thirty-two university student athletes enrolled in the Sports Faculty of the Autonomous University of Baja California. The average age of the participating subjects was 21.4 ± 3.6 years (17 men and 15 women). To assess the physical activity level, the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) was used; measurements were carried out before and during confinement by COVID-19. Results: To determine equality of variance, the Student’s t-test for independent samples was applied, with less physical activity (-33.6 Ä%), MET-minutes/week during confinement by COVID-19 (p=.005). Conclusions: Despite decreasing physical activity, the university athlete performed physical activity at home during confinement by COVID-19, harmonizing the time in the learning processes in their future profession.