Associations between physical activity and health-related quality of life among university students in Zhuhai, China

Abstract Physical inactivity is a major global public health concern, contributing to the rising burden of chronic diseases and mental health issues. Despite its known health benefits, physical activity levels remain insufficient, particularly among college students, posing significant risks to their physical and psychological well-being. To address this, a cross-sectional study with 406 university students was conducted in Zhuhai, Guangdong, China, including 280 females and 126 males, all aged between 18 and 21. Physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed through the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), which includes Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores. Kruskal–Wallis H Tests for differences between groups and Kendall’s Tau-b correlation tests for correlation, revealed that 17.24% of participants had low physical activity levels, with a higher prevalence among female students. Physical activity was positively associated with PCS scores in male students, indicating better physical health with higher activity levels. However, no significant correlation was found between physical activity and MCS scores, suggesting that mental health may be influenced by other factors such as academic stress and social support. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to promote active lifestyles and holistic well-being on campus.