Physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption and their effects on the respiratory health of college students

The objective of this study is to analyze and compare life habits (smoking, alcohol and physical activity) and their effects on respiratory health in a sample of university students. The perception of respiratory symptoms and life habits of university students was carried out through a specific validated respiratory health questionnaire, the Sant George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), for the general population with questions related to health-related life quality. The sample consisted of sedentary university students (n = 497) and university students of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Degree (n = 315). Sedentary university students, alcohol users, smokers, ex-smokers, and passive smokers had the highest rates of perceived respiratory symptoms in the SGRQ (p<.05) compared to Sport Science students and students who never consumed alcohol or tobacco. Tobacco and alcohol consumption and physical inactivity are the factors that cause more respiratory symptoms in university students.