RIAF JOURNAL ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol. 4 No. 1, January 2026
29
Articles
Andrea Yamile Terrazos Ponce
San Ignacio de Loyola University, Peru
andreaterrazosponce@gmail.com
andreaterrazosponce@gmail.com
ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3367-1001
Fabian Piero Abarca Herrera
San Ignacio de Loyola University, Peru
fabianpiero2000@gmail.com
ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2227-3803
Joel Ernesto Huilca Mendoza
San Ignacio de Loyola University, Peru
joelhu.04@gmail.com
ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5898-672X
Abstract: Introduction: Physical activity plays a
crucial role in promoting health and preventing
chronic non-communicable diseases. In university
settings, it is essential to maintain both physical
and mental balance.
Objective: To assess physical activity levels and
propose an appropriate exercise prescription using
the Minnesota Leisure-Time Physical Activity
Questionnaire.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted with a sample
of 26 individuals from diverse backgrounds, including
university students, relatives, and friends. The Minnesota
questionnaire was administered to estimate energy
expenditure and classify participants into four categories:
very active, active, moderately active, and sedentary.
Results: Most participants were classified as very active,
followed by active and a small group of moderately active
individuals. Collective activities such as football and
handball predominated, showing a preference for group
exercise.
Conclusion: The findings provide a basis for developing
personalized exercise recommendations that promote
adherence to regular physical activity and support healthy
lifestyles.
Keywords: Physical activity, Minnesota questionnaire,
exercise, prescription, health.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-
Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International License.
Assessment of physical activity and exercise prescription in a diverse
population using the Minnesota questionnaire
Andrea Yamile Terrazos Ponce
1
; Fabian Piero Abarca Herrera
2
& Joel Ernesto Huilca Mendoza
3
RIAF. International Journal of Physical Activity
University of Guayaquil, Ecuador
Frequency: Biannual
Vol. 4, no. 1, 2026
revista.riaf@ug.edu.ec
Received: November 3, 2025
Approved: December 13, 2025
URL: https://revistas.ug.edu.ec/index.php/riaf
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53591/ks6g4j63
RIAF JOURNAL ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol. 4 No. 1, January 2026
30
Introduction
Physical activity is one of the most important components for maintaining good health and preventing
non-communicable chronic diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022), staying
active helps reduce the risk of problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some types of
cancer, in addition to promoting emotional well-being and reducing stress. In recent years, several studies
have also highlighted that exercise is a key factor in improving mental health in young people and
university students (Amú-Ruiz et al., 2024).
Within the university environment, this topic becomes even more important. Changes in schedules,
new responsibilities, and academic workload often lead many students to reduce their level of physical
activity and adopt more sedentary habits. In Peru, for example, it has been found that physical activity
levels in university students are not adequate and that sedentary behavior is frequent, even among
students in health-related careers (Janampa-Apaza et al., 2021). Something similar occurs in other regions
of the country, where it is observed that a large proportion of students do not reach the recommended
levels of daily movement (Paricahua-Peralta et al., 2024). At the international level, it has also been seen
that factors such as gender, age, semester, or even the type of degree program influence how much a
student moves (Edelmann et al., 2022).
Furthermore, the pandemic caused by COVID-19 intensified this situation. During confinement,
many university students decreased their physical activity and spent more time sitting or in front of
screens, and several studies confirm this change in habits (Rivera et al., 2021). These modifications
affected not only physical health but also mental health. On the other hand, recent research suggests that
having active habits could be related to better academic performance and healthier lifestyles in general,
especially when combined with good nutrition (Mamani-Roque et al., 2024).
Despite all this evidence, it is still necessary to more accurately assess the actual levels of physical
activity in different groups and, above all, to propose exercise recommendations tailored to the
characteristics of each person. Therefore, this study uses the Minnesota Leisure-Time Physical Activity
Questionnaire, an instrument that allows identifying the frequency, duration, and intensity of exercise
people perform.
The main objective of this research is to analyze physical activity levels in a sample consisting of
university students, family, and friends. Based on these results, the aim is to develop a personalized
exercise prescription proposal, aimed at promoting more active habits and contributing to improving the
health and well-being of each evaluated group.
RIAF JOURNAL ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol. 4 No. 1, January 2026
31
Materials and Methods
Study design. A descriptive cross-sectional
study conducted during the year 2025. The
population consisted of 26 participants, mainly
university students, as well as family and friends,
with the purpose of having a diverse sample in
terms of age, sex, and physical activity level. The
study aimed to estimate physical activity levels
and sports preferences in an academic and social
context. All participants who correctly completed
the questionnaire were included, and those with
incomplete data in the analyzed variables were
excluded.
Physical activity level
For the assessment of physical activity level,
the short version of the Minnesota Leisure-Time
Physical Activity Questionnaire (MLTPAQ) was
used. This instrument was designed to estimate
total energy expenditure and classify people
according to their habitual physical activity level.
The questionnaire allows calculating energy
expenditure based on the frequency, duration,
and intensity of different activities performed
during the last 14 days, expressed in metabolic
equivalents (MET-min/14 days).
The MLTPAQ includes items on specific
physical activities such as walking, dancing,
climbing stairs, doing household chores, or
practicing recreational sports. Each activity is
associated with a standardized metabolic
coefficient, making it possible to estimate total
energy expenditure using the following formula:
Total energy expenditure (MET-min) = Σ (duration
in minutes × frequency × MET value)
Based on the cut-off points described in the
specialized literature for assessing physical
activity level, participants can be classified into
four categories:
Subjects classified as "very active" record values
above 5,000 MET-min/14 days, while those
considered "active" fall within a range of 3,000 to
4,999 MET-min/14 days. The "moderately
active" category corresponds to values between
1,250 and 2,999 MET-min/14 days, and finally,
those with less than 1,250 MET-min/14 days are
classified as "sedentary" (Ainsworth et al., 2011).
Procedures
The questionnaire was self-administered in
person and virtually, accompanied by a brief
verbal orientation on how to respond.
Participants were asked to record the activities
performed during the last two weeks, specifying
the type of activity, average daily duration, and
weekly frequency. With the collected
information, an anonymized database was
created. Subsequently, the data were manually
reviewed to detect outliers or inconsistencies. The
final classification of physical activity level was
performed according to the standardized criteria
of the MLTPAQ.
Statistical analysis
Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Absolute and relative frequencies were calculated
for categorical variables (type of sport practiced,
physical activity level) and measures of central
tendency for quantitative variables (age, average
duration of activity). Information was processed
with Microsoft Excel 2021. General comparisons
were established between physical activity levels
(very active, active, moderate, and sedentary) and
the reported sports characteristics.
RIAF JOURNAL ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol. 4 No. 1, January 2026
32
Results
From the total participants, 19 were classified
as very active, 6 as active, and 1 as moderately
active. The most practiced disciplines were
football (19.2%) and handball (15.4%), followed
by futsal, volleyball, and jogging (7.7% each).
Individual activities such as swimming, martial
arts, and gym workouts were also recorded. Most
complemented their energy expenditure through
daily activities like climbing stairs or walking for
shopping.
Table 1 shows the general results of the
sample, including sociodemographic variables
(age and sex) and the main physical indicators
recorded during the study, such as weight, height,
body mass index (BMI), and physical activity
values obtained. Overall, participants showed
stable levels in most variables, although with
some differences between the analyzed groups. It
was observed that the average values of the
physical indicators show slight variations among
the subjects, which could be related to factors
such as age or habitual activity level. These results
provide a general overview of the sample's
behavior and will serve as a basis for comparative
analysis and subsequent data interpretation.
Table 1
General results of the sample studied
I
D
A
ge
Wal
king
(day
s)
Wal
king
(min
/day
)
Da
nci
ng
(da
ys)
Danc
ing
(min
/day)
Sport
Sp
ort
D
ay
s
Spo
rt
Mi
n
Stairs(day
s/month)
Floors/
day
Cleaning(
min/week)
Shopping(min/
week)
1
16
9
40
2
20
Handb
all
5
40
14
2
120
40
2
17
6
30
0
0
Swim
ming
6
40
10
2
30
20
3
17
11
30
0
0
Handb
all
5
120
26
3
60
30
4
17
12
45
7
10
Joggin
g
12
60
6
2
120
70
5
17
15
30
5
10
None
0
0
30
20
20
150
6
18
15
40
3
25
Footba
ll
4
60
30
4
360
30
7
18
6
120
2
10
Volley
ball
6
90
25
1
40
60
8
18
15
20
0
0
Athleti
cs
8
70
20
3
120
70
9
18
15
60
10
30
None
0
0
31
1
50
140
10
19
15
40
0
0
None
0
0
30
3
20
60
11
19
10
60
10
20
Handb
all
10
50
31
3
15
90
12
19
15
30
8
120
Dancin
g
8
120
30
4
630
210
13
20
13
60
0
0
Footba
ll
5
60
26
4
60
30
14
20
10
30
2
10
Handb
all
10
120
15
5
300
30
RIAF JOURNAL ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol. 4 No. 1, January 2026
33
Table 2 presents the results corresponding to
the energy expenditure values (METs) and the
classification of the physical activity level of the
evaluated participants. Overall, a predominant
trend towards high activity levels is observed,
with 19 individuals classified as "very active," 6 as
"active," and 1 as "moderately active."
These results suggest that much of the sample
maintains a physically active lifestyle, which could
be associated with a higher frequency and
intensity in the practice of sports or recreational
activities. Likewise, the observed differences
between categories reflect individual variability in
physical activity patterns, an aspect that will be
considered for exercise planning in relation to the
3 levels obtained in the sample.
15
20
15
270
15
30
Karate
6
90
30
2
0
35
16
22
15
120
2
30
Rugby
1
80
30
2
420
360
17
23
10
25
0
0
Boxing
6
60
6
7
30
10
18
23
10
70
0
0
Footba
ll
3
120
25
3
90
50
19
23
15
30
2
120
Judo
4
90
15
2
60
60
20
23
10
30
0
0
Futsal
10
40
20
3
240
80
21
24
12
40
0
0
Footba
ll
6
40
15
3
60
25
22
24
5
30
1
240
Joggin
g
5
30
30
3
60
30
23
24
15
40
5
5
Climbi
ng
8
40
5
2
245
105
24
47
15
45
0
0
None
0
0
30
1
120
40
25
50
15
30
0
0
Gym
8
90
25
1
20
180
26
51
15
10
0
0
Footba
ll
4
60
20
2
0
50
Source: Own Elaboration
Table 2.
Energy expenditure values (METs) and classification of participants' physical activity level
Participant
MET-min/14 days
Classification
1
6.255
Very active
2
3.962
Active
3
7.502
Very active
4
6.758
Very active
5
3.887
Active
6
8.431
Very active
RIAF JOURNAL ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol. 4 No. 1, January 2026
34
7
10.195
Very active
8
5.666
Very active
9
5.551
Very active
10
2.77
Moderately active
11
6.734
Very active
12
11.472
Very active
13
6.295
Very active
14
9.52
Very active
15
16.612
Very active
16
14.54
Very active
17
4.736
Active
18
9.235
Very active
19
11.318
Very active
20
7.311
Very active
21
4.729
Active
22
13.323
Very active
23
6.562
Very active
24
3.362
Active
25
6.662
Very active
26
3.975
Active
Source: Own elaboration
Table 3 presents the proposed weekly exercise
planning for each physical activity level identified
in the sample, classified as moderately active,
active, and very active. This planning was
developed considering the energy expenditure
values (METs) and the individual capacities of the
participants, with the purpose of promoting
progressive improvement in physical condition
and optimizing overall performance.
The plan design was based on the results
obtained from the surveyed participants, who
were previously categorized according to their
energy expenditure level. Based on this, specific
activities adjusted to the individual characteristics
of each group were established, considering
intensity, duration, frequency, and type of
exercise. In this way, a balanced distribution of
the workload is ensured and adherence to the
regular practice of physical activity is encouraged.
RIAF JOURNAL ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol. 4 No. 1, January 2026
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Table 3
Plan semanal para personas moderadamente activas
Day
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4
Activity 5
Activity 6
Activity 7
Monday
General
mobility 5
min
Light walk
5 min
Half chair
squat 3×15
Table push-
ups 3×10
Elastic row
3×12
Glute
bridge
3×12
Dynamic
stretching
Tuesday
General
mobility 5
min
Static bike
20 min
Knees to
chest 3×20
sec
Heel raises
3×10
Static
stretching
Wednesda
y
Hip &
ankle
mobility
Lunges
3×8
Abdominal
crunch
3×12
Isometric
plank 3×20
sec
Dynamic
stretching
Thursday
Shoulder &
neck
mobility
Bottle
shoulder
press 3×10
Wall push-
ups 3×12
Foot slides
3×10
Static
stretching
Friday
Mobility 3
min
Brisk walk
15 min
Half chair
squat 3×15
Elastic row
3×12
Glute bridge
3×12
Breathing
Saturday
REST
Sunday
REST
Source: Own elaboration
Table 4.
Weekly plan for active people
Día
Actividad 1
Actividad
2
Actividad
3
Actividad 4
Actividad
5
Actividad 6
Monday
General
mobility 5
min
Jumping
jacks 3×15
Knee push-
ups (floor)
4×10
Band row
4×12
Low plank
4×30 sec
Dynamic
stretching
Tuesday
Brisk walk 5
min
Lateral
shuffles
5×30 sec
Mountain
climbers
3×12
Active
breathing
Static
stretching
These guidelines constitute a solid
methodological basis for the implementation and
evaluation of future interventions aimed at
maintaining and improving the physical condition
and general health of the evaluated individuals.
Also, a weekly plan for moderate active people.
Table 3
Likewise, the proposal allows evaluating the
applicability and effectiveness of physical activity
programs adapted to different fitness levels,
serving as a reference for the development of
strategies to promote physical health in
populations with similar characteristics.
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Wednesday
Hip
mobilit
y 5 min
Isometric
squat 3×30
sec
Heel
raises
4×15
Single-leg
glute
bridge
3×10
Static
stretching
Thursday
Should
er
mobilit
y 5 min
March in
place 3
min
Bent-
over
row
4×12
Military
press 4×12
Side plank
3×20 sec
Static
stretching
Friday
Burpee
s 4×10
Squat 3×15
Mountai
n
climbers
4×12
Jumping
jacks 4×12
Breathing
Saturday
REST
Sunday
REST
Source: Own elaboration
Table 5.
Weekly plan for very active people
Day
Activity 1
Activity
2
Activity
3
Activity 4
Activity 5
Activity 6
Monday
Dynamic
mobility 5
min
Skipping
3×60 sec
Explosiv
e push-
ups 4×8
Plank with
shoulder tap
3×30 sec
Hip mobility
Dynamic
stretching
Tuesday
Jump rope
3×25
Sprint
4×30 m
Mountai
n
climbers
4×12
Dynamic
stretching
Wednesday
Hip
mobility
Skipping
3×2 min
Bulgaria
n split
squat
4×10
Hip thrust
4×12
Side plank
3×12
Thursday
Shoulder
mobility
Push-ups
4×12
Chair
dips
4×12
Static
stretching
Friday
Burpees
5×12
Jump
squat
5×12
Push-ups
4×12
Russian
kettlebell
swing 4×12
Breathing &
stretching
Saturday
REST
Sunday
REST
Source: Own elaboration
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Discussion
This study found that most participants, aged
between 16 and 51 years, were classified as active
or very active, indicating a positive trend towards
regular physical activity practice in the evaluated
population. This pattern coincides with recent
research that highlights that both young people
and adults show relevant levels of physical activity
in their leisure time, especially when they have
consolidated habits and support structures for
their practice (Zadarko-Domaradzka et al., 2024;
Šporin & Šporin, 2021). Physical activity
continues to be an essential element for health
and well-being, although factors such as lack of
time or low motivation can limit long-term
adherence (García-Vigara et al., 2024).
The use of the Minnesota Leisure-Time
Physical Activity Questionnaire allowed for an
objective estimation of total energy expenditure
considering the frequency, duration, and intensity
of activities performed in the last two weeks. This
instrument has demonstrated good utility for the
assessment of general populations and facilitates
the identification of different activity patterns
(Rial-Vázquez et al., 2023). In this study, the
questionnaire allowed us to observe that active
daily activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, or
doing household chores, contributed significantly
to the total physical activity, complementing
formal sports practice. This suggests that
accumulating physical activity through daily
activities remains an effective way to improve
health and maintain adequate levels of
movement.
Furthermore, the high proportion of active
participants in this study is above the levels
reported in some international populations,
where physical inactivity continues to be a public
health problem.
Research with adolescents, young people, and
older adults has shown that higher levels of
physical activity are associated with benefits in
various areas, such as lower risk of
hospitalizations for mental health problems
(Fahim et al., 2024), slower transition to frailty
states (Lee et al., 2025), and better health
satisfaction in older women (Kuska et al., 2025).
Furthermore, studies in postmenopausal women
have shown that sustainable, low-cost exercise
programs can improve adherence and reduce
frailty indicators (García-Vigara et al., 2024).
Overall, the results of this study reinforce the
importance of developing physical activity
promotion strategies that adapt to different ages,
occupations, and social contexts. Validated and
accessible tools like the questionnaire used allow
for more precise guidance of exercise programs
in educational, work, and community settings.
This type of intervention can contribute
significantly to fostering sustainable habits and
improving the overall well-being of diverse
populations.
Conclusions
This study allowed identifying physical activity
levels in a heterogeneous population through the
application of the Minnesota Leisure-Time
Physical Activity Questionnaire, showing a
predominance of active and very active
participants. This result confirms the usefulness
of the instrument for discriminating activity
patterns and consistently estimating energy
expenditure, integrating both formal sports
activities and daily tasks that significantly
contribute to daily movement.
Likewise, the findings highlight the relevance of
collective practices, particularly football and
handball, as facilitators of adherence and
continuity in physical practice, which coincides
with the literature pointing to the role of the
social component in the consolidation of healthy
habits.
RIAF JOURNAL ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol. 4 No. 1, January 2026
38
Based on the obtained classification, a weekly
prescription proposal adjusted to each activity
level was developed, demonstrating the
applicability of the questionnaire as a guide for
individualized exercise planning.
Overall, results reinforce the need to promote
interventions that integrate various types of
physical activity and consider the social,
occupational, and recreational context of
individuals. This study provides evidence
supporting the use of validated instruments like
the MLTPAQ for assessment and prescription in
diverse populations and constitutes a basis for
future research aimed at optimizing sustainable
physical activity programs adapted to different
population profiles.
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Declaration of no conflicts of interest
The authors declare that there are no financial,
commercial, institutional, or personal conflicts
of interest that could have influenced the results
or the interpretation of the data presented in this
study.
Declaration of Competing Interests
The authors declare that there are no
competing interests of a financial, commercial,
institutional, or personal nature that could have
influenced the results or the interpretation of the
data presented in this study.
RIAF JOURNAL ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol. 4 No. 1, January 2026
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Declaration of author participation in the
research
The authors participated significantly and
equitably in all stages of the research. They
contributed to the conception and design of the
study, data collection, analysis and
interpretation of the results, manuscript writing,
and approval of the final version for
publication.
Author Contributions
The authors contributed significantly and
equally to all stages of the research. Specifically,
they were involved in the conception and design
of the study, data collection, analysis and
interpretation of the results, manuscript writing,
and approval of the final version for publication.