Actividad física, sedentarismo y calidad de vida en universitarios: Una revisión narrativa

Autores/as

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55040/85d6b961

Palabras clave:

aptitud física, calidad de vida, comportamiento sedentario, estudiantes universitarios, promoción de la salud

Resumen

La Actividad Física (AF) es reconocida por sus beneficios sobre la salud física y mental. Por el contrario, el sedentarismo es un factor de riesgo para enfermedades crónicas no-transmisibles que representa un problema de salud pública con efectos directos en la Calidad de Vida Relacionada con la Salud (CVRS). La creciente investigación del campo, en población universitaria es dispersa y metodológicamente heterogénea, por lo que se requiere sintetizar la literatura disponible. Este estudio analítico-documental, de revisión narrativa, tuvo como objetivo analizar la relación entre la AF y CVRS en estudiantes universitarios a través de la evidencia científica entre los años 2012 y 2022 en las bases de datos de Scopus, SportDiscus, Web of Science y Pubmed. La búsqueda bibliográfica se basó en la estrategia PICO. Se incluyeron estudios cuantitativos (descriptivos y transversales). Se identificaron 459 artículos, 8 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y calidad de los artículos y fueron analizados en profundidad. Los resultados indican que los estudiantes no alcanzan los niveles de AF recomendados. Gran parte de su tiempo son comportamientos sedentarios, esto se asocia con menor bienestar físico, psicológico y social. La AF se vinculó con mejoras en la salud mental, física y satisfacción con la vida. En contraste, el sedentarismo se asoció con mayor riesgo de depresión y ansiedad. Se observaron diferencias según sexo, intensidad de AF y factores socioculturales. Los hallazgos sugieren la necesidad de implementar estrategias de promoción de AF en contextos universitarios, donde se consideren factores sociales para mejorar la CVRS.

Referencias

Akil, M. (2025). Barriers to physical activity among university students in the light of psychosocial and body composition determinants. BMC Psychology, 13, 1400. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03789-4

Alahmadi, M., Almasoud, K.., Aljahani, A. H., Alzaman, N., Al-Nozha, O., Alahmadi, O., Jalloun, R., Alfadhli, E., Alahmadi, J., Zuair, A., Alzahrani, N., Alahmdi, A., Alghamdi, M., Aldayel, A., Aljaloud, S., Alharbi, O., Al-Nuaim, A., Alshqaq, S., Alsaedi, B., Alrashidi, A., … Al-Daghri, N. (2024). The prevalence of sedentary behavior among university students in Saudi Arabia. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 605. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18107-7

Alkhenaizi, A., Shakeeb,F., Fredericks, S., & Gaynor, D. (2025). Physical activity levels, recreational screen time, sleep quality and mood among young adult healthcare students at an international university in Bahrain: A cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 15, e093655. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-09365

Alosaimi, N., Sherar, L., Griffiths, P., & Pearson, N. (2023). Clustering of diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour and related physical and mental health outcomes: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 23(1), 1572. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16372-6

Arnau-Sabatés, L. y Sala Roca, J. (2020). La revisión de la literatura científica: pautas, procedimientos y criterios de calidad. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

Ato, M., López, J. y Benavente, A. (2013). Un sistema de clasificación de los diseños de investigación en psicología. Anales de Psicología, 29(3), 1038–1059. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.29.3.178511

Baethge, C., Goldbeck-Wood, S., & Mertens, S. (2019). SANRA: a scale for the quality assessment of narrative review articles. Research Integrity Peer Review, 4, 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41073-019-0064-8

Barbosa-Granados, S., & Aguirre-Loaiza, H. (2020). Actividad física y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en una comunidad académica. Revista Pensamiento Psicológico, 18(2), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.11144/Javerianacali.PPSI18-2.afcv

Botero-Arboleda, A., & Aguirre-Loaiza, H. (2025). Síntomas depresivos y actividad física: análisis post-confinamiento de la pandemia del Covid-19. MHSalud: Revista En Ciencias Del Movimiento Humano y Salud, 22(2), e19578. https://doi.org/10.15359/mhs.22-2.19578

Budzynski-Seymour, E., Conway, R., Wade, M., Lucas, A., Jones, M., Mann, S., & Steele, J. (2020). Physical activity, mental and personal well-being, social isolation, and perceptions of academic attainment and employability in university students: The Scottish and British active students surveys. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 17(6), 610-620. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2019-0431

Caballero, L., Sánchez, L., & Delgado, E. (2015). Actividad física y composición corporal en estudiantes universitarios de cultura física, deporte y recreación. Salud UIS, 47(3). https://doi.org/10.18273/revsal.v47n3-2015004

Cáceres-Manrique, F., Parra-Prada, L., & Pico-Espinosa, O. (2018). Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en población general de Bucaramanga, Colombia. Revista de Salud Pública, 20, 147-154. https://doi.org/10.15446/rsap.V20n2.43391

Cai, X. Y., Qian, G. P., Wang, F., Zhang, M. Y., Da, Y. J., & Liang, J. H. (2023). Association between sedentary behavior and risk of cognitive decline or mild cognitive impairment among the elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 17, 1221990. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1221990

Chulvi, I., & Solà, S. (2010). Programas de acondicionamiento neuromuscular en la diabetes mellitus 2. Revista Internacional de Medicina y Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte, 10(37), 77-92. https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/542/54222774005.pdf

Crowley, E., Powell, C., Carson, B., & W Davies, R. (2022). The effect of exercise training intensity on VO2max in healthy adults: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Translational Sports Medicine, 2022, 9310710. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9310710

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01

Deepthi, R., Ashakiran, S., Thota, V. A., & Reddy, M. (2015). Good mental health status of medical students: Is there a role for physical activity? Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University, 4(1), 55-63.

Del Villar, A., Pérez, A. P., & Andon, J. L. M. (2014). Influence of strength exercise on physical fitness, insulin sensitivity and quality of life in morbidly obese. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 24(3), e26. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181df16d9

Duncan, M. J., Murphy, L., Oftedal, S., Fenwick, M. J., Vincent, G. E., & Fenton, S. (2023). The associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep with mortality and incident cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and mental health in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Journal of Activity, Sedentary and Sleep Behaviors, 2, 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s44167-023-00026-4

Dzakpasu, F., Carver, A., Brakenridge, C., Cicuttini, F., Urquhart, D., Owen, N., & Dunstan, D. (2021). Musculoskeletal pain and sedentary behaviour in occupational and non-occupational settings: a systematic review with meta-analysis. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 18(1), 159. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01191-y

Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196(4286), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.847460

Estrada-Araoz, E. G., Quispe-Aquise, J., Ayay-Arista, G., Churo-Quispe, G., Quipo-Conde, N. A., Rivera-Mamani, F. A., & Mamani-Roque, M. (2025). Perceived barriers to physical activity in a sample of university students: A descriptive study. Educational Process: International Journal, 15, e2025130. https://doi.org/10.22521/edupij.2025.15.130

Faílde-Garrido, J., Ruiz-Soriano, L., Pérez-Fernández, M., Lameiras-Fernández, M., & Rodríguez-Castro, Y. (2019). Evolution of quality of life and health-related behaviors among Spanish university students. The International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 34(1), e789-e801. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.2692

Farinola, M. G., & Bazán, N. E. (2011). Conducta sedentaria y actividad física en estudiantes universitarios: Un estudio piloto. Revista Argentina de Cardiología, 79(4), 351-354. https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/3053/305326988008.pdf

Ford, E., Kohl, H., Mokdad, A., & Ajani, U. (2005). Sedentary behavior, physical activity and the metabolic syndrome among US adults. Obesity Research, 13(3), 608-614. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2005.65

Gogniat, M., Won, J., Cruz, C., Aranda, A., Verma, A., Gujral, S., Weinstein, A., Zaheed, A., Cole, K., Full, K., & Snitz, B. (2025). Sedentary behavior, cognition, and brain health in older adults: A systematic review. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 17, 1622049. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1622049

Guo, K., & Huang, Q. (2025). Gender stereotypes and female exercise behavior: mediating roles of psychological needs and negative emotions. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1569009. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1569009

Hallgren, M., Dunstan, D., & Owen, N. (2020). Passive versus mentally active sedentary behaviors and depression. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 48(1), 20–27. https://doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000211

Heidke, P., Vandelanotte, C., Irwin, C., Williams, S., Saluja, S., & Khalesi, S. (2021). Associations between health-related quality of life and health behaviors in Australian nursing students. Nursing & Health Sciences, 23(2), 477-489. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12832

Higgins, S., Pomeroy, A., Bates, L., Paterson, C., Barone Gibbs, B., Pontzer, H., & Stoner, L. (2022). Sedentary behavior and cardiovascular disease risk: An evolutionary perspective. Frontiers in Physiology, 13, 962791. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.96279

Hu, D., Xie, P., Xia, L., Hou, H., Wang, H., Zheng, X., Chen, L., & Tang, H. (2025). The associations between sedentary behavior and risk of depression: A systematic review and dose response meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 2254. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23418-4

Hultquist, C., Duckham, R., Stinson, C., & Thompson, D. (2009). College physical activity is related to mid-life activity levels in women. JEPonline, 12(4), 1-7.

Jiang, W., Luo, J., & Guan, H. (2021). Gender difference in the relationship of physical activity and subjective happiness among Chinese university students. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.800515

Júdice, P., Silva, A., Berria, J., Petroski, E., Ekelund, U., & Sardinha, L. (2017). Patrones sedentarios, actividad física y aptitud física relacionada con la salud en jóvenes: un estudio transversal. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14, 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0481-3

Keimling, M., Behrens, G., Schmid, D., Jochem, C., & Leitzmann, M. F. (2014). The association between physical activity and bladder cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Cancer, 110(7), 1862-1870. https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2014.77

Khan, A., Lee, E. Y., Janssen, I. y Tremblay, M. S. (2022). Associations of passive and active screen time with psychosomatic complaints of adolescents. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 63(1), 24–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2022.01.008

Kljajević, V., Stanković, M., Đorđević, D., Trkulja-Petković, D., Jovanović, R., Plazibat, K., Oršolić, M., Čurić, M., & Sporiš, G. (2021). Physical activity and physical fitness among university students: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1), 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010158

Lavados-Romo, P., Andrade-Mayorga, O., Morales, G., Muñoz, S., & Balboa-Castillo, T. (2021). Association of screen time and physical activity with health-related quality of life in college students. Journal of American College Health, 71(5), 1504–1509. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1942006

Li, S., Guo, J., Zheng, K., Shi, M., & Huang, T. (2022). Is sedentary behavior associated with executive function in children and adolescents? A systematic review. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 832845. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.832845

Liu, Y., Zhang, Z., Zhang, H., & Tian, S. (2025). Knowledge mapping analysis of sedentary behavior and mental health research: A bibliometric analysis from 2004 to 2024. Medicine, 104(37), e44275. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000044275

Maher, J., Doerksen, S., Elavsky, S., & Conroy, D. (2014). Daily satisfaction with life is regulated by both physical activity and sedentary behavior. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 36(2), 166-178. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2013-0185

Major, L., Simonsick, E., Napolitano, M., & DiPietro, L. (2023). Domains of sedentary behavior and cognitive function: The health, aging, and body composition study, 1999/2000 to 2006/2007. The Journals of Gerontology, 78(11), 2035–2041. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glad020

Matthews, C., Chen, K., Freedson, P., Buchowski, M., Beech, B., Pate, R., & Troiano, R. (2008). Amount of time spent in sedentary behaviors in the United States, 2003-2004. American Journal of Epidemiology, 167(7), 875–881. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwm390

Mooren, F. C. (2013). Type 2 diabetes and exercise therapy: Blood glucose control by endurance and strength training. Klinikarzt, 42(9), 406-410. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199927060-00003

Morral, A., Cazorla, J., Alòs, F., Puig-Torregrossa, J., Buela Castell, M., & Romaguera, M. (2025). Prescripción de actividad física y ejercicio físico en atención primaria: Situación actual y retos de implementación. Atención Primaria, 57(9), 103308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2025.103308

Muñoz-Galeano, M. E., Londoño-Cano, E., & Vargas-Alzate, C. A. (2025). Characterization of the nutritional status of university students, Medellín-Colombia, 2022. Revista Cuidarte, 16(1), e4317. https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.4317

Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2018). Noncommunicable diseases. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases

Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2020). WHO package of essential noncommunicable (PEN) disease interventions for primary health care. Organización Mundial de la Salud. https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/b9f09202-a320-4c07-ba2c-afe0d1186339/content

Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2024). Actividad física. https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity

Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2025). Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases

Organización Panamericana de la Salud. (2025). Noncommunicable disease deaths in the Americas have risen 43% since 2000. https://www.paho.org/en/news/2-7-2025-noncommunicable-disease-deaths-americas-have-risen-43-2000-paho-report-shows

Osorio-Cualdrón, J., Ospina Cano, S., Mejía Bolaños, A. J., Zapata, M. C., & Aguirre-Loaiza, H. (2021). Inactividad física, sobrepeso y obesidad: implicaciones sobre los procesos cognitivos. En D. Torres (Ed.), Mejoramiento de las condiciones de salud en el Eje Cafetero. Investigación para el desarrollo regional (pp. 99–115). Editorial Universidad Católica de Pereira. https://doi.org/10.31908/eucp.63.c629

Pathak, V., & Aeri, B. (2024). Sedentary behaviour and its link to depression and anxiety in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Public Health and Development, 22(3), 305–320. https://doi.org/10.55131/jphd/2024/220324

Quijano-Duarte, S., Mantilla-Toloza, S., Martínez-Torres, J., & Jaimes-Guerrero, C. (2022). Barriers to physical activity and markers of adiposity in university students. Revista Brasileira de Ciências do Esporte, 44, e012321. https://doi.org/10.1590/rbce.44.e012321

Ramos-Bermúdez, S., Alzate Salazar, D. A., Ayala Zuluaga, J. E., Franco Jiménez, A. M., & Sánchez Valencia, J. A. (2009). Fitness profile of Universidad de Caldas students. Hacia la Promoción de la Salud, 14(1), 23-34. https://revistasojs.ucaldas.edu.co/index.php/hacialapromociondelasalud/article/view/2046

Rey-Brandariz, J., Rial-Vázquez, J., Varela-Lema, L., Santiago-Pérez, M. I., Candal-Pedreira, C., Guerra-Tort, C., Ruano-Ravina, A., & Pérez-Ríos, M. (2023). Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity from a comprehensive perspective. Gaceta Sanitaria, 37, 102352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2023.102352

Rodríguez, M., González, M., González, R., & Gómez, O. (2014). Quality of life related to health in college students. Revista Cubana de Medicina Militar, 43(2), 157-168.

Rodriguez-Ayllon, M., Cadenas-Sánchez, C., Estévez-López, F., Muñoz, N., Mora-Gonzalez, J., Migueles, J., Molina-García, P., Henriksson, H., Mena-Molina, A., Martínez-Vizcaíno, V., Catena, A., Löf, M., Erickson, K., Lubans, D., Ortega, F., & Esteban-Cornejo, I. (2019). Role of physical activity and sedentary behavior in the mental health of preschoolers, children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 49(9), 1383–1410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01099-5

Romanzini, C., Barbosa, C., Batista, M. B., Shigaki, G., de Freitas, M., Romanzini, M., Cyrino, E., Barbosa, D., Venturini, D., Okino, A. M., Kanning, M., & Ronque, E. R. V. (2025). Sedentary behavior and metabolic health in young adults across ecological contexts and behavioral patterns. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 45212. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-29346-y

Rong, W., Kim Geok, S., Samsudin, S., Zhao, Y., Ma, H., & Zhang, X. (2025). Effects of strength training on neuromuscular adaptations in the development of maximal strength: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 15, 19315. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03070-z

Sallis, J. F., Owen, N., & Fisher, E. B. (2015). Ecological models of health behavior. En K. Glanz, B. K. Rimer & K. Viswanath (Eds.), Health behavior: Theory, research, and practice (5th ed., pp. 43–64). Jossey-Bass.

Seo, D., Torabi, M., Chin, M., Huang, S., Chen, C., Mok, M., Wong, P., & Chia, M. (2012). A comparison of factors associated with physical inactivity among East Asian college students. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 19, 316–323. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-011-9167-4

Sheng, J., Ariffin, I., & Tham, J. (2025). The influence of exercise self-efficacy and gender on the relationship between exercise motivation and physical activity in college students. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 11888. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95704-5

Snedden, T. R., Scerpella, J., Kliethermes, S. A., Norman, R., Blyholder, L., Sanfilippo, J., McGuine, T., & Heiderscheit, B. (2018). Sport and physical activity level impacts health-related quality of life among collegiate students. American Journal of Health Promotion, 33(5), 675-682. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117118817715

Tremblay, M., Aubert, S., Barnes, J., Saunders, T., Carson, V., Latimer-Cheung, A., Chastin, S., Altenburg, T., Chinapaw, M., & SBRN Terminology Consensus Project Participants (2017). Sedentary Behavior Research Network (SBRN) - Terminology Consensus Project process and outcomes. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14(1), 75. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0525-8

Tristancho-Celis, C., Parra-Jaramillo, L., Quiceno-Florez, C., Sandberg, T., Franco, A., Salazar-Tamayo, D., Vargas-Galeano, M., & Aguirre-Loaiza, H. (2025). Efectos de la actividad física sobre la salud mental: una revisión paraguas de carácter integral. Revista de Psicología Aplicada al Deporte y al Ejercicio Físico, 10(2), e16. https://doi.org/10.5093/rpadef2025a16

Tudela L. (2009). La calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Atención Primaria, 41(7), 411–416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2008.10.019

Wu, J., Fu, Y., Chen, D., Zhang, H., Xue, E., Shao, J., Tang, L., Zhao, B., Lai, C., & Ye, Z. (2023). Sedentary behavior patterns and the risk of non-communicable diseases and all-cause mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 146, 104563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2023.104563

Yan, H., Xu, H., Chen, R., Chen, D., & Li, C. (2025). Effects of aerobic exercise on body composition in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Public Health, 25, 3321. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24757-y

Yang, H., Xu, J., Hou, L., & Huang, D. (2025). Neurobiological mechanisms of the effect of exercise on depressive disorder: Analysis using CiteSpace. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, 1600286. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1600286

Zhang, T., Xiang, P., Gu, X., & Rose, M. (2016). College students' physical activity and health-related quality of life: An achievement goal perspective. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 87(2), 182-190. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2016.1159279

Zhao, G., Sun, K., Xue, Y., & Dong, D. (2024). A chain-mediated model of the effect of physical exercise on loneliness. Scientific Reports, 14, 30798. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81059-w

Descargas

Publicado

2026-08-01

Número

Sección

Revisiones

Artículos similares

1-10 de 83

También puede Iniciar una búsqueda de similitud avanzada para este artículo.