Abstract
Background and Purpose: A high percentage of people fail to meet the federal Physical Activity Guidelines while some adults develop dysfunctional exercise. The applications of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in the field of physical activity suggest that how people are motivated to exercise can lead to different outcomes, such as dysfunctional exercise. Adequate training for health promotion professionals can ensure their competency in successfully promoting healthy exercise. This study assessed the knowledge and perceptions regarding exercise benefits and dysfunctional exercise among Kinesiology and Community Health students—the future health professionals. Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted in a convenience sample of 183 participants from a public university in the northwest region. Results: Both Kinesiology and Community Health majors demonstrated a low level of knowledge regarding dysfunctional exercise, and were inclined to cite controlled rather than autonomous benefits for exercise engagement. Conclusion: Program curriculum changes, such as the coverage of dysfunctional exercise and Self-Determination Theory, should be considered to address the issue.
Highlights
The value that a healthy exercise regime provides in disease prevention and health promotion has been clearly documented
This study examined knowledge and perceptions of dysfunctional exercise and exercise benefits among students in health related majors
Our findings support that participants may benefit from receiving lectures or additional training in the field of dysfunctional exercise, as many participants could not recognize the major terms related to dysfunctional exercise or identify the diagnosis criteria
Summary
The value that a healthy exercise regime provides in disease prevention and health promotion has been clearly documented. To ensure students’ competency in promoting physical activity, it is important to know if Community Health and Kinesiology students’ academic training is adequately preparing them to do so. The present study conducted a paper-and-pencil survey among college health students to explore their knowledge and perception of dysfunctional exercise and exercise benefits. The applications of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in the field of physical activity suggest that how people are motivated to exercise can lead to different outcomes, such as dysfunctional exercise. Adequate training for health promotion professionals can ensure their competency in successfully promoting healthy exercise. This study assessed the knowledge and perceptions regarding exercise benefits and dysfunctional exercise among Kinesiology and Community Health students—the future health professionals. Results: Both Kinesiology and Community Health majors demonstrated a low level of knowledge regarding dysfunctional exercise, and were inclined to cite controlled rather than autonomous benefits for exercise engagement.
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