Percepción terapéutica del ejercicio físico y su asociación con rutina, evaluación médica y conocimiento

Introduction:Physical inactivity continues to be a major public health issue, especially among university students, who exhibit a low perception of exercise as a therapeutic resource.Objective:This study aimed to analyze the therapeutic perception of physical exercise and its association with the physical routine performed, the practice of pre-participation medical ex-aminations, and formal knowledge in exercise science. It was hypothesized thatthis perception is significantly associated with these three behavioral and cognitive variables.Methodology:A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive, and correlational study was con-ducted. A total of 908 university students from a private institution in Guayaquil, Ecuador, par-ticipated. A structured questionnaire, validated by experts and showing high internal con-sistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.944), was applied. Data were analyzed using Chi-square tests and ordinal logistic regression.Results:The results showed a significant association between the therapeutic perception of ex-ercise and the type of physical routine performed (χ² = 35.01; p < 0.001), being higher among those who engaged in fitness routines. A significant association with gender was also identified (OR = 1.37; p = 0.04). The variables of pre-participation medical examination and formal knowledge were not statistically significant, although consistent trends were observed.Discussion:These findings are consistent with previous studies that highlight the importance of exercise structuring and the influence of context on its perception as a therapeutic tool.Conclusion:It is concluded that strengthening the therapeutic perception of exercise requires educational strategies, guided routines, and environments that actively promote self-care.