Physical activity and quality of life among college students without comorbidities for cardiometabolic diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To systematically review studies on the relationship between physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QOL) in university students without comorbidities for cardiometabolic diseases from around the world. METHODS: We included observational studies with university students of both sexes, from public or private institutions, and that investigated the association or correlation between physical activity and quality of life among these students, without delimitation of date, language, or location. Reviews, letters to the editors, studies with qualitative methodologies, case studies, book chapters, articles with college students who had some specific disease or condition, such as obesity, diabetes, and others; studies with children of parents with chronic diseases, and those that were institutions aimed only at very specific populations, were excluded. Meta-analysis was calculated. RESULTS: Thirty studies, consisting of 19,731 students, were included. The most commonly used instruments to assess the quality of life of the university population were the Quality of Life Questionnaire-short version (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was the most commonly used instrument to assess PA. For the meta-analysis, 22 studies were included. Weak but positive correlations were found between PA and the QOL domains: physical health (0.16. 95% CI 0.11 0.22; I2 = 99.96%); mental health (0.14; 95% CI 0.07-0.20; I2 = 99.97%); social relations (0.24, 95% CI 0.08-0. 38; I2 = 99.99%); environment (0.23, 95% CI 0.14-0.32; I2 = 99.90%); vitality (0.17. 95% CI 0.15-0.20; I2 = 99.49%) pain (0.02. 95% CI - 0.02 to 0.12; I2 = 99.96%); QOL and PA (0.21, 95% CI 0.08-0.34; I2 = 99.99%).An association of R = 0.60 (95% CI 0.25-0.95; I2 = 85.61%) was found between QOL and PA in total. CONCLUSION: The results of our study showed a weak but positive relationship between physical activity and overall quality of life in college students, and also between PA and the domains of QL: physical health, social relationships, mental health, environment, and vitality, in this same population. It is important to study this population, since risk behaviors in this phase tend to perpetuate in the other phases of life.

Effect of combined physical exercise on inflammatory markers and the relationship with body composition in young women.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of eight weeks of combined physical exercise of moderate intensity on inflammatory markers, as well as its relationship with body composition in young women recently admitted to a Public Institution of Higher Education. METHODS: Longitudinal, intervention study, in which 59 female participants aged 18-25 years were evaluated before and after a combined physical exercise program for eight weeks. Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention for analysis of C-reactive protein and inflammatory cytokines. Weight and height were measured to calculate body mass index and body composition was evaluated by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry before and after the intervention. Statistical analyzes performed were t-test, Willcoxon test and Spearman's correlation. This study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee and the Free and Informed Consent Form was signed by all participants. RESULTS: After the intervention, there was a reduction in the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF and IL-12), while the anti-inflammatory (IL-10) and CRP did not change; reduction in the total body gynoid fat mass and in the percentage of body fat; increased trunk and total muscle mass. Body composition was negatively correlated with the pro-inflammatory interleukins IL-1ß and IL-6 and positively correlated with CRP. CONCLUSIONS: Combined physical exercise for eight weeks acted to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, fat mass and increase in muscle mass. Inflammatory markers correlated with body fat before the intervention, suggesting the participation of visceral adipose tissue in the release of these markers in female university students.