Nivel de actividad física y salud mental en estudiantes del Instituto Superior Tecnológico del Austro durante el periodo 2025-2026

Abstract

The relationship between physical activity and mental health is a constant concern among students, considering the relationship between planned exercise, physical activity, and psychological well-being. The objective of this research is to correlate levels of physical activity and mental health among students at the “Instituto Superior Tecnológico del Austro” during the period 2025-2026. Method: This study has a non-experimental, descriptive correlational design with a quantitative, cross-sectional approach. The instruments used were previously validated and include the short version of the IPAQ questionnaire, which measures physical activity levels, and the DASS-21 questionnaire, which measures levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. A total of 169 students enrolled in automotive mechanics, electrical engineering, software development, accounting, livestock production, civil engineering and construction management, and fire control and rescue operations participated in the study. They were selected through intentional non-probabilistic sampling and ranged in age from 18 to 30. The main results indicate that most students exhibit a moderate level of physical activity, with males predominating, while females show greater variability. Physical activity acts as a protective factor against depression, contributing to overall psychological well-being. Keywords: physical activity, mental health, university students, stress