Weekend Warrior and Other Leisure-Time Physical Activity Patterns in Relation to Positive Self-Rated Health: Racial Differences Among Brazilian University Students

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with positive self-rated health (SRH); however, evidence regarding different practice patterns and potential racial differences among university students remains limited. The objective of this study was to estimate the association between LTPA patterns and positive SRH among university students who entered higher education in 2025 at a public university in Brazil. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 1143 first-year undergraduates. Positive SRH (defined as reporting “good” or “very good” health) was used as the outcome. LTPA (walking and activities of moderate and vigorous intensity) was classified as inactive, insufficiently active, weekend warrior, or regularly active based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on physical activity. The analyses were stratified by self-reported race/skin color (White students vs. students from other racial/ethnic groups). Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using Poisson regression. The prevalence of positive SRH was 44.6% among White students and 41.1% among other racial/ethnic group students. Among White students, positive SRH was associated with walking performed at weekend warrior (PR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.33–3.24) and regular levels (PR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.06–2.14), as well as with vigorous-intensity activity in a weekend warrior pattern. Among other racial/ethnic group students, positive SRH was associated with regular walking (PR = 1.34; 95% CI:1.05–1.71) and with vigorous-intensity activity at both insufficient and regular levels. LTPA was positively associated with SRH, with variations according to intensity, practice patterns, and race/skin color, indicating that benefits are not homogeneous across groups.