Physical Activity and Leisure in the Daily Life of Nursing Students

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to describe the routine of Brazilian nursing students, identifying the activities that are part of their daily life, highlighting how much time they dedicate for physical activity practice in their leisure time. The participants of this cross-sectional study were 141 nursing students from a public university in the State of São Paulo. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, three closed questions about physical activities and one open question in which the students described their daily life activities. For analysis, we used the chi-squared-test and content analysis. Although academic, household and work activities take up most of the students' week, some dedicate a portion of their daily live to enjoy leisure periods with physical activities, sedentary behavior and sociocultural activities. Some options of activities seem to be related to Brazilian cultural aspects that are pointed out in this paper. Some recommendations were made, aiming at improving the health of students as well as the importance of a healthier school environment.