Effectiveness of a Supervised University-Based Physical Activity and Health Education Program on Lifestyle and Psychological Well-being (Ponte en Forma)

Overview

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a structured, supervised university-based program that combines physical activity and health education to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and psychological well-being. The program, called Ponte en Forma, is implemented at the University of Vigo (Campus of Ourense, Spain) as part of its institutional health promotion strategy. Adult participants (students, university staff, and community members) are allocated either to an intervention group, which takes part in the supervised Ponte en Forma program, or to a control group, which continues their usual unsupervised exercise routine. The intervention lasts four months and includes three weekly supervised exercise sessions plus biweekly counseling focused on healthy eating, prevention of tobacco and alcohol use, and emotional well-being. The main outcomes assessed include body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, resting heart rate, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Secondary outcomes include self-esteem, emotional intelligence, health-related quality of life, and lifestyle habits.

The Ponte en Forma program is a university-based health promotion initiative designed to improve physical, dietary, and psychological health through a combination of supervised exercise and lifestyle counseling. The program is implemented at the University of Vigo (Campus of Ourense, Spain) during the 2016-2017 academic year. Study Design This is a quasi-experimental, non-randomized, controlled intervention study. Participants are users of the University Sports Service. The intervention group participates in the supervised Ponte en Forma program, while the control group continues their regular unsupervised exercise activities. Allocation is based on type of enrollment and participant preference. Intervention Details The program includes three weekly sessions of supervised physical activity (aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance training) and biweekly group or individual counseling sessions. Counseling addresses nutrition and the Mediterranean diet, avoidance of tobacco and alcohol consumption, and strategies for emotional well-being. Outcome Measures Primary outcomes: Body Mass Index (BMI) Systolic and diastolic blood pressure Resting heart rate Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MEDAS-14) Secondary outcomes: Physical activity level (IPAQ-SF) Tobacco and alcohol use Self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) Emotional intelligence (TMMS-24) Health-related quality of life (SF-12, EQ-VAS) Body image perception and risk of disordered eating (SCOFF) Ethical Considerations The study was approved by the Galician Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Ref. 2016/567), and all participants provided written informed consent.