Physical InactivityNCT07392593
Physical Activity as a Non-Invasive Strategy to Address Obesity and Musculoskeletal Risk in First-Year University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Spain
An observational study of Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Behavior, run by Universidad Rey Juan Carlos at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior levels in first-year university students and to explore their association with obesity and musculoskeletal health risk indicators. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Physical Inactivity, Sedentary Behavior, Obesity & Overweight
- How many people
- 821 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2023to 1 Jun 2024
- How long will I take part?
- 1 Day
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: First-year university students enrolled at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid (Spain)
Who may be able to join
- First-year university students enrolled at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
- Availability of complete GPAQ data
Who cannot join
- Incomplete GPAQ data
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior levels in first-year university students and to explore their association with obesity and musculoskeletal health risk indicators. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), while body mass index (BMI) was used to classify weight status. Sedentary behavior was interpreted as an indirect indicator of musculoskeletal risk. Understanding these behavioral patterns may help identify at-risk profiles and inform non-invasive prevention strategies in university populations.
Read the detailed description
Physical inactivity and prolonged sedentary behavior are recognized risk factors for obesity and musculoskeletal health problems, particularly in young adults exposed to long periods of sitting during academic activities. University students represent a population vulnerable to lifestyle-related health risks during the transition to higher education.
This retrospective observational study analyzed previously collected data from first-year university students enrolled at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos between September 2023 and June 2024. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), which evaluates activity across work, transportation, and leisure domains. Body mass index was calculated from self-reported height and weight and classified according to World Health Organization criteria.
The primary objective of the study was to describe physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns and to examine their associations with obesity and indirect indicators of musculoskeletal risk. No intervention, treatment, randomization, or follow-up procedures were performed as part of this study.
- Keywords
- Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Obesity, Musculoskeletal Health
- Medical subject headings
- Sedentary Behavior, Obesity, Overweight, Motor Activity
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Physical Activity Level (Total MET-minutes per week)
Physical activity assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), including work, transportation, and leisure domains. Total physical activity was expressed as MET-minutes per week.
Measured: Retrospective assessment during the academic year 2023-2024
Secondary outcomes (3)
Sedentary Behavior
Self-reported daily sitting time assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and interpreted as an indirect indicator of musculoskeletal health risk.
Measured: Retrospective assessment during the academic year 2023-2024
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Body mass index calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²) and classified according to World Health Organization criteria.
Measured: Retrospective assessment during the academic year 2023-2024
Physical Activity Risk Categories
Classification into low, moderate, or high physical activity levels based on World Health Organization GPAQ thresholds.
Measured: Retrospective assessment during the academic year 2023-2024
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Feb 2026
- Study start1 Sep 2023
- Primary completion1 Jun 2024
- Study completion1 Jun 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Physical InactivityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 821 participants (actual)
- Target duration
- 1 Day
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, DeAsís-Fernández, Francisco, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07392593
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- URJC-PA-OBMSK-2023
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 6 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Physical Activity as a Non-Invasive Strategy to Address Obesity and Musculoskeletal Risk in First-Year University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Spain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07392593
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- URJC-PA-OBMSK-2023
- Keywords
- Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Obesity, Musculoskeletal Health
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 821 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Rey Juan CarlosUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jun 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior levels in first-year university students and to explore their association with obesity and musculoskeletal health risk indicators. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), while body mass index (BMI) was used to classify weight status. Sedentary behavior was interpreted as an indirect indicator of musculoskeletal risk. Understanding these behavioral patterns may help identify at-risk profiles and inform non-invasive prevention strategies in university populations.
Detailed description
Physical inactivity and prolonged sedentary behavior are recognized risk factors for obesity and musculoskeletal health problems, particularly in young adults exposed to long periods of sitting during academic activities. University students represent a population vulnerable to lifestyle-related health risks during the transition to higher education.
This retrospective observational study analyzed previously collected data from first-year university students enrolled at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos between September 2023 and June 2024. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), which evaluates activity across work, transportation, and leisure domains. Body mass index was calculated from self-reported height and weight and classified according to World Health Organization criteria.
The primary objective of the study was to describe physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns and to examine their associations with obesity and indirect indicators of musculoskeletal risk. No intervention, treatment, randomization, or follow-up procedures were performed as part of this study.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Target follow-up
- 1 Day
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- First-year university students enrolled at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid (Spain)
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- First-year university students enrolled at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
- Availability of complete GPAQ data
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Incomplete GPAQ data
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Physical Activity Level (Total MET-minutes per week)
Time frame: Retrospective assessment during the academic year 2023-2024
Physical activity assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), including work, transportation, and leisure domains. Total physical activity was expressed as MET-minutes per week.
3 secondary outcomes
Sedentary Behavior
Time frame: Retrospective assessment during the academic year 2023-2024
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Time frame: Retrospective assessment during the academic year 2023-2024
Physical Activity Risk Categories
Time frame: Retrospective assessment during the academic year 2023-2024
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 Feb 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Behavior, run by Universidad Rey Juan Carlos at 1 site in Spain.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Physical Activity Level (Total MET-minutes per week) (time frame: Retrospective assessment during the academic year 2023-2024). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Feb 2026.