Physical activity and Quality of life among Saudi female students

Abstract

Noura Nassir Alsubaie, Dhaimah Sulaiman Al Qaisi, Alanoud Ali Qushaysh, Fay Alqahtani and Nahla M Bawazeer^*

Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Norah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

*Correspondence: Nahla M Bawazeer, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Norah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, E-mail: alooosh20170@gmail.com, DOI: 10.56147/Ajfnae.1.1.3

Abstract

Background: One of the most important elements that improve a healthy life-style is Physical Activity (PA), it’s a health-enhancing behavior. It helps in many aspects, such as; weight loss, prevent cardiovascular disorders, control of Type II diabetes, psychological well-being and muscle and bone development. Moreover, PA improves health state and Quality of Life (QoL).

Objectives: To explore the association between PA levels and QoL among Saudi female students at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in Riyadh city.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 Saudi female students aged between 18 – 30 years old. Exclusion criteria were having a health condition that can be hindering the PA, or physical disability. The PA of participants was assessed using the validated Arabic short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the validated Arabic Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire was used to assess the QoL for each participant.

Results: Most of the participants had low PA level (45.25%), while 39.75% had moderate PA level, and the lowest percentage was in those who had high PA level (15%). Participants’ scores of QoL were significantly higher among those with high grades of physical exercise regarding physical functioning domain (p<0.05), and their QoL scores didn’t differ significantly according to their grades of physical exercise regarding the role of limitations due to physical health, the role of limitations due to emotional problems, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, social functioning, pain and general health domains.

Conclusion: Most of the Saudi female students at PNU had low PA levels. Their quality of life is significantly associated with their physical activity levels. To encourage healthy living and minimize inactivity among the students, using the existing facilities and resources of the university such as fitness and health centers would be cost-effective and convenient.

Keywords: Physical activity, Quality of life, Saudi female