Atividade física de universitários com deficiência em tempos de pandemia da COVID-19

Abstract

We are currently going through a very complicated moment in the world scenario, we are living in a pandemic of COVID-19, which presents a clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic infections to severe cases. Thus, the concern about people with disabilities increases, since many of these people do not have access to physical activity and the level of physical activity is usually lower among people with disabilities than among people without disabilities. The population of people with disabilities has a less active lifestyle compared to people without disabilities. And it is worth pointing out that physical activity is a fundamental increment for a better quality of life, which directly impacts the individual's health. Thus, this theoretical essay will seek to describe the practice of physical activity by college students with disabilities in times of pandemic. The methodology of the work is characterized by quantitative research. Thirty-two college students with disabilities from a Federal University, 18 men and 14 women participated voluntarily in this study. The data collection was done through a questionnaire, composed of 27 questions, with 14 closed questions and 13 open questions. For the analysis, we used descriptive statistics. Specifically, we measured percentage and frequency referring to the determined categories. The results found showed that 56.3% (n = 18) of university students were unable to maintain the practice of physical activity during the pandemic and 47.1% (n = 8) walk, another part manages to do exercises at home, 29, 4% (n= 5) and the others, various activities, such as martial arts, karate, hydro gymnastics with swimming and bicycle, with a percentage of 5.9% (n= 1). Of the participants who practiced physical activity during the pandemic, 43.1% (n=6) had a health intention and only 22.4% (n=2) had a health intention. It is concluded that most university students with disabilities had difficulties in maintaining the practice of physical activities during the pandemic period. The pandemic had a negative impact on the practice of physical activity, particularly among university students with disabilities, resulting in a low percentage of the population practicing physical activity, which further concerns the impediment factors and barriers that make it difficult to carry out practices.