University extension projects: the importance of physical activity practice from the community´s perspective

Abstract

Objective: to investigate the perception of the community involved in university extension projects developed at a federal university in southern Brazil. Methodology: A descriptive survey was carried out, mapping the extension projects registered with the Pro-Rectory of Extension and Culture at a federal university in southern Brazil and linked to the Physical Education course. Fifty per cent of the registered projects were randomly selected, resulting in a total of 152 respondents. The instrument consisted of closed questions using a Likert-type scale, addressing personal, interpersonal and organisational factors. Results and discussion: The results show that the perspectives of the extension community are positive in relation to all the factors investigated. Conclusion: There is also an understanding that the extension activities promoted by the institution under investigation contribute both to the initial training of academics and to the creation of personal and interpersonal bonds between participants.