Asociación entre el nivel de actividad física y el rendimiento académico en estudiantes de primer año de una universidad peruana

Physical activity has been recognized for its positive impact on academic performance, but its specific influence on Peruvian university students has not yet been sufficiently studied. This study aimed to determine the relationship between physical activity (PA) level and academic performance (AP) in first-year students of a private university in Huancayo. A basic quantitative approach with a non-experimental design and descriptive correlational scope was used. The sample included 300 students from the School of Industrial Engineering, selected through random stratified sampling. PA was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in its short version and accelerometry devices to obtain objective measurements. AP was assessed using a 15-item questionnaire covering cognitive learning, motivation, and satisfaction. The results showed that 55.6% of the students reported average levels of PA and AP, and a significant relationship was found between both variables (p<0.001). These findings underscore the importance of integrating PA into educational programs to improve students' academic performance and overall well-being. Despite the significant findings, the study has the limitation of relying on self-reports to measure academic performance, which could introduce bias. Future studies should use objective measurement methods for both physical activity and academic performance.