Abstract

Objective: To describe the benefits and barriers perceived by university students to perform physical activity. Method: Qualitative study composed by a sample of 2,576 university students (1,317 men and 1,259 women). The Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS). of Nola Pender was used to collect the data. Results: Global results show higher scores above the theoretical mean established in the EBBS, which locates students on a higher perception of the benefits compared to the barriers; however, statistically meaningful differences among the benefits perceived according to the gender (p=0,000), the type of university (p=0,000), the area of expertise (p=0,000) and the year of study (p=0,000) are observed. Regarding the perceived barriers, there is evidence of the statistical differences of this variable with marital status (p=0,040), type of university (p=0,012) and the area of expertise (p=0,040). Conclusion: Students give higher importance to their perception of physical and psychological well-being benefits that may lead them to do physical activity. Relevance to social benefits is not given. In addition, the perception of barriers is related to demotivation and lack of self-management to schedule this activity.

Keywords: Exercise;Perception; Motivation;Students; Universities