Ezequiel Fabricio Eduardo Victoria, José Edgardo Dipierri, María Dolores Marrodán-Serrano
Regular physical activity has well-documented health benefits; however, its sustained practice during the university stage may be influenced by various barriers. The aim of this study was to analyze cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and its relationship with physical activity (PA) level and perceived barriers to exercise among higher education students from Jujuy (Argentina). A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 41 students (20 men and 21 women; 24.59 ± 5.56 years). CRF was estimated using the 20-m Course Navette test, and VO2max was calculated according to Léger’s equation. PA level was assessed with the IPAQ, and perceived barriers were evaluated using the ABPEF questionnaire. Mean VO2max was 34.72 ± 5.81 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, with significantly higher values in men (38.15 ± 4.69) compared to women (31.45 ± 4.88; p = 0.001). Overall, 75.6% of participants were classified as having high PA and 21.9% as moderate. ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of sex on VO2max (F(1.36) = 13.28; p = 0.001; ηp² = 0.269), with no differences according to PA level (p = 0.149). An inverse correlation was observed between BMI and VO2max (ρ = −0.59; p < 0.01). The primary perceived barrier was obligations/lack of time (4.37 ± 0.21), and women reported higher scores in body image/social physique anxiety (p = 0.024). In conclusion, VO2max was associated with sex and BMI, but not with self-reported PA level. Academic obligations emerged as the main barrier to sustained exercise practice.