Nível de atividade física e fatores associados em estudantes universitários pós-pandemia de COVID-19

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of physical inactivity in university students and its associations with sociodemographic, individual, and environmental variables in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period. This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted at a public university in Paraná, Brazil. A total of 514 students, aged 18 and over, participated in the study between June and September 2023. Data collection was carried out through an online self-administered questionnaire addressing sociodemographic information, physical activity habits, and individual and environmental variables. Statistical analyses included chi-square test and logistic regression. The results showed a high prevalence of insufficiently active students (49,8%). Factors such as female sex(OR=1,88; 95%CI: 1,37; 2,69); belonging to the lower economic classes (OR=1,40, 95%CI: 1,18; 1,66); lack of knowledge of the Physical Activity Guide for the Brazilian Population (OR=1,96, 95%CI: 1,32; 2,32); and belonging to the areas of knowledge of Humanities, Letters and Arts (OR=0,33, 95%CI: 0,19; 0.56) and Applied Social Sciences (OR=0,52, 95%CI: 0,31; 0,87) were associated with a higher likelihood of physical inactivity. Other factors included lack of disposition (OR=8,11, 95%CI: 4,46; 14,35) and time to practice physical activity (OR=5,33, 95%CI: 3,60; 8,03); dissatisfaction with their overall health (OR=3,87, 95%CI: 2,67; 5,60) and lack of knowledge of physical activity projects at the university (OR=2,86, 95%CI: 1,69; 4,86). The high prevalence ofphysical inactivity identified highlights the urgency of adopting strategies to increase the dissemi-nation of existing sports and physical exercise programs and projects in educational institutions, especially for low-income students. These measures are key to promoting health and well-being in the student population.