Quality of life and health-related physical fitness in physically active and inactive adults

Abstract

Regular physical activity is associated with several health benefits, including improved quality of life and higher levels of health-related physical fitness. However, this relationship may be influenced by different individual and environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to compare quality of life and health-related physical fitness between physically active and inactive adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted with adults classified according to their physical activity level into two groups: active and inactive individuals. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), quality of life was evaluated using the WHOQOL-BREF, and health-related physical fitness was assessed through body mass index and flexibility measurements. Comparisons between groups were performed considering quality-of-life domains and the physical fitness components evaluated. No significant differences were observed between groups for any quality-of-life domain, although physically active individuals showed a tendency towards higher scores in the physical, psychological, social relationships, and overall quality-of-life domains. Regarding physical fitness, no significant differences were identified between groups for body mass index and flexibility, with similar values observed among active and inactive individuals. Therefore, it can be concluded that physical activity participation showed a tendency towards an association with better perceived quality of life, particularly in physical, psychological, and social aspects. However, physical activity level alone was not associated with differences in the assessed physical fitness components, suggesting that other individual and environmental factors may influence these health indicators.