Investigation of Leisure Time, Life and Sleep Quality in University Students

Objective: This study aimed to determine the physical activity level of university students, to compare them according to gender and to investigate the effect of physical activity level on sleep and quality of life. Materials and Methods: The research is of an analytical-cross-sectional type. In total, 288 (181 F, 107 M) university students with a mean age of 19.59 ± 2.00 years participated in the study. Height, weight and waist circumference measurements were taken. Participants were asked a questionnaire to determine their socio-demographic characteristics and exercise, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for assessing sleep quality, Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire to measure 1-week total physical activity level and SF-36 (Brief) to assess the quality of life. Quality of Life Questionnaires were applied by face-to-face questionnaire method. Results: 39% of the students were active, 18% were moderately active, and 43% were not active enough. When the data of girls and boys were compared, only the height, body weight, waist circumference, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire, SF 36 had a significant difference in emotional role difficulty results in favor of men (p < 0.00). Social functioning and general health perception (r = 0.116; r = 0.119) of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire were found to be positively correlated with the energy/vitality component of Godin leisure time questionnaire and SF-36 quality of life questionnaire (r = 0.121). There was a low positive correlation between sleep quality and all components of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire (0.168 < r < 0.333). Conclusion: As a result, only 39% of university students are active and spend more time on computers and phones. Boys had a physically more active lifestyle than girls. In the young population, physical activity did not affect sleep quality, but sleep quality affected quality of life. For health and quality life, the participation of individuals in regular exercise should be encouraged, physical activity programs should be organized and motivated in universities.