Abstract
Participation in compulsory physical education (PE) is a controversial aspect of the Japanese university system. English-language education programs in Japanese universities often incorporate aspects of the traditional curricula, including experiential PE. The purpose of the study was to explore the extent to which compulsory PE in a Tokyo-based global university program contributes to overall physical activity (PA) and to elucidate how experiential PE intersects with student beliefs and motivations. The study sample included 199 domestic and international students attending PE courses in a Top Global University in Tokyo, Japan. All students who undertook compulsory PE classes in English were invited to complete an online survey in 2018-19. Survey measures included scores on a valid and reliable iteration of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), self-reports of PA influences, and PA-related health beliefs. Overall PA was high among the cohort, yet there were significant differences based on gender and country of origin, with male and international students reporting higher activity. Most students perceived a positive relationship between PA participation and disease prevention, which reinforced common health motives for activity, particularly weight control and stress reduction. Compulsory and experiential PE within a Japanese global university program potentially contributes to higher PA levels among ethnically diverse undergraduates but should adapt to a more wellness focused curriculum to address behavioral and motivational variations.
Highlights
In the context of growing international enrolments in Japanese universities and ongoing global reductions in physical activity (PA) among younger adults (Warner et al, 2021), this study explored and compared PA behaviours and beliefs among ethnically diverse student cohorts attending compulsory physical education (PE) at a Top Global University (TGU) in Tokyo
Most international students in Japan are from comparatively developed nations in the Asia-Pacific or North America and many are enrolled in bilingual or English-language courses implemented as part of the TGU program
The majority of students undertaking compulsory PE at a TGU in Japan are meeting World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for PA, with only a small proportion classified as low-active
Summary
In the context of growing international enrolments in Japanese universities and ongoing global reductions in physical activity (PA) among younger adults (Warner et al, 2021), this study explored and compared PA behaviours and beliefs among ethnically diverse student cohorts attending compulsory physical education (PE) at a Top Global University (TGU) in Tokyo. The number of international students attending Japanese universities is increasing rapidly in line with trends for the globalization of tertiary education (Rose & McKinley, 2018). In the decade immediately prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan experienced an annual 10% increase in international enrolments with over 300,000 foreign students in the country as of 2018 (Japan Student Services Organization, 2019). Reasons for such increases include declining populations of domestic students, the high reputation of Japanese Universities within the Asia-Pacific region, and recent government support to stimulate international engagement with higher education (Hashimoto, 2018; Rose & McKinley, 2018). The 37 TGUs receive funding to provide globally oriented programs that often incorporate elements of the formal Japanese education system, including compulsory PE
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