Ict in health education at university students

Abstract

The evolution of ICTs as an educational resource has materialized their presence in all areas of knowledge and in the different educational stages. This paper analyses the effectiveness of a health education programme based on the use of different technological devices and computer applications to control the healthy physical activity habits of students in the Magisterium University Degrees taught at the Faculty of Education (University of Zaragoza). The final sample, once the exclusion criteria had been applied, consisted of 80 participants. They were randomly distributed in three groups, one of which was a control group and the other two were experimental groups (app and physical activity bracelets), according to the proportionality of the matriculations. After an initial evaluation of physical activity (IPAQ questionnaire), the students set their own individual objectives in accordance with the WHO recommendations for the adult population. Seven weeks later, a new measurement was made with the same instrument. The results showed an increase in physical activity time in groups using ICT, especially the one using intelligent bracelets. Finally, we can affirm that ICTs are not only important in education in general, yet also in transversal themes as important as health education and the maintenance of an active lifestyle.