Physical Activity And Lifestyle Behaviors Of College Students At A Large R1 Public University

Abstract

Physical inactivity in the college student population is associated with numerous health issues. Literature has indicated that since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic physical activity (PA) levels of college students has declined. Thus, identifying factors which promote PA is needed in order for universities to develop evidence-based interventions to combat physical inactivity. PURPOSE: To examine the interaction between factors influencing PA in college students. METHODS: A total of 1774 undergraduate students (733 male, 1007 female, 34 chose not to select a gender) at a large public university responded to a questionnaire between 2014 and 2018. The questionnaire consisted of validated survey instruments regarding PA levels, feelings towards PA, and general lifestyle behaviors. A full structural equation model examined the relationships between our latent variables (PA, PA enjoyment, exercise goal setting, exercise self-efficacy, and recording PA behaviors). RESULTS: The final structural model was an adequate fit for the data (χ 2 (245) = 2731.457, p < .05, CFI = .901, RMSEA = .076 [.073, .078], SRMR = .06; Figure 1). Exercise self-efficacy (β = 0.41, p < .05), PA enjoyment (β = 0.24, p < .05), and recording PA (β = 0.12, p < .05) were all positive predictors of PA. CONCLUSION: Our findings support that exercise self-efficacy, physical activity enjoyment, recording physical activity, and exercise goal setting all positively influence PA levels in college students. Notably exercise self-efficacy had the strongest association with PA. Limitations of our study were the cross-sectional design and self-reporting of PA. Future research should continue to examine factors influencing PA in college students as college environments have changed and online learning has increased as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on our results we would recommend that universities consider interventions that promote exercise self-efficacy in order to promote PA.