Physical Activity In College Students Research Articles

Levels of physical activity of university students in COVID-19: More challenges for women compared to men?

Studies have indicated lower levels of physical activity and inadequate health conditions among young university students, which may have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the levels of physical activity based on sociodemographic and health conditions of university students during the pandemic period. This cross-sectional study included 235 students from a public and multi-campus university in the state of Bahia, Brazil, from July to October 2020, when in-person activities were suspended. Levels of physical activity were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form), and a questionnaire developed by the researchers evaluated sociodemographic and health conditions, both of which were applied via Google Forms®. Most participants (59.1%) showed insufficient levels of physical activity. Only sex differed significantly (p < 0.001), with a higher proportion of women (65.7%) reporting lower levels of physical activity than men (38.6%). Barriers challenges may have limited the incorporation of physical activity among women university during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research is needed to elucidate the findings of this study.

Effect of Body Mass Index on Balance, Trunk Muscle Endurance, Functional Mobility and, Physical Activity in College Students

Effect of Body Mass Index on Balance, Trunk Muscle Endurance, Functional Mobility and, Physical Activity in College Students

Exploring the association between openness scale of campus street spaces, street greenery, campus walkability and physical activity of college students

IntroductionResearch on the effects of campus street openness and greenery on college students' moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is relatively limited, as is research based on campus street view data. MethodsThis study utilized campus street view data to explore the relationship between objective campus environmental factors and college students' campus walkability and MVPA. The data were collected from surveys conducted at 34 universities in China involving 1173 college students. ResultsWe found that both campus walkability and MVPA of college students will not be affected by campus greenery but they are significantly positively affected by campus sky view factor (SVF) which affects college students' MVPA through partial mediation effect of campus walkability. ConclusionsSVF is the most different environmental factor in Chinese university campuses, but it is the most important factor that affects the evaluation of campus walkability and promotes MVPA of college students. Therefore, the issues of visual enclosure and spatial suppression on campus streets should be given attention. The results suggest that designers should focus on enhancing the openness of campus street spaces in campus planning, landscape design, and healthy campus construction.

Domain matters: An examination of college student physical activity participation patterns by gender and race/ethnicity

Background Physical activity (PA) consists of multiple domains, including leisure-time PA (LTPA), occupational PA (OPA), and transportation PA (TPA), though limited research has examined these domains among college students. Methods This cross sectional, online survey asked undergraduate students to self-report demographics (gender, race/ethnicity, employment) and PA (LTPA, TPA, and OPA). Participants were categorized as meeting/not meeting current aerobic PA recommendations with only LTPA and with all domains of PA. Analyses examined differences by domain and demographics. Results For participants (n = 3732) when only considering LTPA, 79% met recommendations, while considering all forms of PA resulted in 94% of students meeting recommendations. Gender and race/ethnicity differences in the odds of meeting PA recommendations were present with only LTPA, however when considering all PA domains, some disparities were no longer present. Conclusions These findings highlight how different domains of activity contribute to overall PA and the relationship with gender and race/ethnicity.

Functionality of Fitness Applications and the Physical Activity of College Students

The study determined whether the functionality of fitness applications predicts the level of physical activity of Chinese college students. In the process, the study assessed the level of physical activity and functionality of fitness apps in terms of exercise, recreation, and sports. Data were gathered through online survey with the use of a researcher made questionnaire. The study showed that the respondents were engaged in light physical activity only. This is true in all the sub-variables of physical activity which are exercise, recreation, and sports. The study also showed that the respondents rated their fitness apps as slightly functional only in exercise, recreation, and sports. Simple linear regression was used in determining whether the functionality of fitness apps significantly predict physical activity.

Gender differences in dietary intake and physical activity among university students: a post-COVID-19 pandemic study

Purpose Malaysia transitions from a pandemic to an endemic state, beginning on April 1, 2022. The dietary intake and physical activity of university students were altered during the COVID-19 pandemic confinement period, but there is limited information on this topic in the post-COVID-19 period. This cross-sectional study aims to understand gender differences in dietary intake and physical activity among university students and investigate the factors influencing their body mass index (BMI) in the post-COVID-19 period. Design/methodology/approach The questionnaire used in this study comprised three main segments: sociodemographic information, a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Findings Results indicated that males exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) mean intakes of total dietary energy and macronutrients compared to females. Compared to the Malaysian Recommended Nutrient Intakes 2017, 76.4% of males and 68.8% of females had a sufficient daily energy intake. The majority of males (52.7%) and females (46.4%) were moderately physically active. Regression analysis revealed that male university students with lower fiber intake (ß = −0.309, p = 0.002) were significantly associated with higher BMI reading after confounding adjustment. However, a similar trend was not observed in female university students. Practical implications Understanding the gender differences in dietary intake and physical activity can provide insights into the development of effective gender-specific health promotion strategies and the formulation of policies aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles among university students in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. Originality/value This study provides insights into the gender differences in the dietary and physical activity habits of university students, as well as the factors influencing their BMI in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.

The Role of Food Insecurity and Dietary Factors on Intensity of Physical Activity

Food insecurity is a prevalent issue among college students and is defined as the lack of access to reliable and nutritionally adequate foods. It leads to poor diet quality and increased anxiety and stress, which can make motivation to participate in physical activity more challenging. However, the specific role that food insecurity plays in physical activity and diet quality among the college population has yet to be thoroughly studied. To address this gap in the literature, the current study aims to assess the impact of food insecurity on diet quality and physical activity. It is hypothesized that those who report food insecurity will engage in less physical activity and have lower diet quality, potentially due to the lack of energy from a poor diet, and the preoccupation with pressing concerns for food access. Individuals over the age of 18 completed an anonymous survey that was distributed via social media and messaging platforms. The survey included demographic questions and seven validated scales including the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, Food Mood Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, Health Promoting Activities Scale, and Satisfaction, Alertness, Timing, Effciency, and Duration (SATED) Questionnaire. These scales measured food insecurity status, physical activity levels, self-esteem, dietary habits, perceived stress, health promoting activities, and sleep. Data from 561 individuals were analyzed using Pearson’s Correlation Coeffcient in IBM SPSS Version 28.0. The results show that being unable to consume nutritiously adequate foods was negatively associated with participating in vigorous exercise (r= -0.122, p< 0.01). However, feeling hungry but not eating and going a whole day without eating were positively associated with performing moderate activity (r= 0.124, p< 0.01; r= 0.130, p< 0.01). Alongside this, it was revealed that consumption of whole grain foods was positively associated with vigorous physical activity and negatively correlated with the consumption of fast or pre-packaged foods. (r= 0.168, p<0.01; r= -0.124 p<0.01). In addition, the inability to eat healthy and nutritious foods was found to be negatively associated with consumption of whole grain foods and positively associated with the consumption of fast or pre-packaged foods (r= -0.110 p<0.01; r= 0.115 p< 0.01). These findings confirm that food insecurity is associated with lower diet quality and likely moderates the type of exercise performed. These phenomena may be explained by potentially lower metabolic energy, constant food-related stress, which negatively impacts motivation to perform, and the impact of socioeconomic status on the physical activity of college students. No funding was provided to conduct this research study. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

An investigative study of anxiety, depression and sleep quality in college students after the COVID-19 pandemic - the moderating effect of physical activity

To explore the current situation of anxiety, depression and sleep quality among college students after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the moderating effect of physical activity on negative emotions, and to provide a theoretical basis for colleges and universities to formulate corresponding interventions. An online cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out by convenience sampling method on 801 college students from China through the General Information Questionnaire (GIQ), Anxiety Self-Rating Scale (ASRS), Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale (PQIS), and Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS). Data were analysed using SPSS 25.0 software and Pearson correlation was used to explore the correlations between variables. The scores of anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and physical activity level of the 801 college students included in the study after the Covid-19 pandemic were 37.15, 40.93, 2.9, and 14.44, respectively; and the detection rates of anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and sleep disorders were 41.09%, 42.89%, and 30.82%, respectively. The detection rate of negative emotions was significantly higher in females than in males, and the senior group was significantly higher than the junior group in terms of depression and anxiety symptoms. The amount of physical activity of college students was significantly negatively correlated with anxiety (r=-0.691, P<0.001), depression (r=-0.767, P<0.001), and sleep quality (r=-0.814, P<0.001); anxiety was positively correlated with depression (r=0.622, P<0.001) and sleep quality (r=0.598, P<0.05); and positive correlation between depression and sleep quality (r=0.512, P<0.05). After the Covid-19 pandemic, college students showed different degrees of anxiety, depression and sleep disorders, the appropriate frequency of exercise can effectively improve the negative emotions of college students, and colleges and universities should pay attention to guiding the students and give them enough care and support to improve their mental health status.

Student sports data analysis and physical fitness evaluation based on convolutional neural networks

<p>In order to achieve the analysis of student sports data and physical fitness evaluation, the author proposes a method based on convolutional neural networks. A hybrid algorithm combining genetic algorithm and error backpropagation algorithm (BP) is used to train convolutional neural networks. The algorithm first uses genetic algorithm for global training, and then uses BP algorithm for local precise training. This overcomes the drawbacks of traditional BP networks such as long training time and frequent local atmospheric drift, and improves global circulation performance. A neural network model was established to display the relationship between the total physical activity score and multiple test scores of high school students by utilizing electrical networks to demonstrate the connectivity of the neural network. This model aims to evaluate the athletic performance of college students and compare the results with other experimental models. The results indicate that the neural network-based model for evaluating college student physical activity can reflect the differences in physical activity and scores among all students, making it a suitable standard for evaluating high school student physical activity. The fitting accuracy of deterministic neural network models is higher than that of multiple linear regression models, which means that neural network models better reflect the performance of the network. The accuracy of various indicators of student physical fitness and total score makes the model easy to operate, accurate to predict, and effective analysis is scientifically reasonable.</p>

The Effects of Nomophobia on Posture, Anxiety, Sleep Quality, and Physical Activity in University Students

The Effects of Nomophobia on Posture, Anxiety, Sleep Quality, and Physical Activity in University Students

Effect of the Underwater Ai-Chi Exercise Program on Hip Joint Mobility, Body Balance and Posture Change Based on Amount of the Physical Activity of College Students

Effect of the Underwater Ai-Chi Exercise Program on Hip Joint Mobility, Body Balance and Posture Change Based on Amount of the Physical Activity of College Students

Retracted: Daily Physical Activity of College Students Based on Embedded Accelerometer

Retracted: Daily Physical Activity of College Students Based on Embedded Accelerometer

Policy Demands on Promoting Physical Activity for College Students in China

In China's current higher education environment, the normalization of sedentary behavior makes college students a typical population with an inactive lifestyle. In order to effectively promote physical activity behaviors among college students, it is necessary to develop physical activity policies for college students in China. By investigating the physical activity level of Chinese college students, this study verifies the necessity of promoting physical activity in college students. Moreover, the present study analyzes the situation of policy demand from three aspects: policy content demand, policy effectiveness demand, and policy non-mandatory demand. The findings show there are policy demands on (1) policy content supplementation in college settings, (2) policy effectiveness based on the assumption of “limited rationality,” and (3) giving the freedom of decision-making. This study can provide reliable advice for policymakers on physical activity for college students in China.

Research on the intervention practice of the school physical education environment on the physical activity of college students

Purpose: This study discusses the main factors that affect the physical education environment of universities and college students' physical activity levels. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study used the questionnaire method and the experimental method to conduct exploratory research on 286 college students (boys = 141, girls = 145) in eight teaching classes from new comers to senior students at Chongqing Normal University (one experimental class and one control class in each grade). Findings: The main factors of the school’s physical education environment were the interpersonal social environment, the natural physical environment and the physical education system environment. There was no significant statistical difference before the experiment. The experimental group showed statistical differences after the experiment. A substantial effect size was found in the intervention's effectiveness tests (2 * 2 ANOVA) and (2 * 3 ANOVA). Conclusion: The school physical education environment can efficiently promote the improvement of the physical activity level of college students and the improvement effect has specific time persistence. The interpersonal social environment, the natural physical environment and the physical education system environment can be carried out when participating in the school’s physical education environment. Research Limitations: The limitation is that the experiment period needs to be longer. Practical Implications: Intervention practice can effectively improve college students' physical activity through the school sports environment. Contribution to Literature: This paper explores a new way to promote college students' physical exercise.

Effect Of A Motivational Coaching Intervention On Exercise Motivation And Physical Activity Of College Students

Effect Of A Motivational Coaching Intervention On Exercise Motivation And Physical Activity Of College Students

Lower Daily Physical Activity In College Students Participating In Courses Taught Online Versus In-person

Lower Daily Physical Activity In College Students Participating In Courses Taught Online Versus In-person

Emotional Intelligence and Physical Activity in College Students at UNWE

In light of the increasing hypodynamia, mental health problems and the influence of psychosocial factors in students, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the determining role of emotional intelligence in their motor performance. The problem of physical activity and emotions is particularly relevant after the global pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The aim of our study is to assess the emotional intelligence (EI) of students and its predictive nature on physical activity behavior (PA) among students. 190 college students from UNWE were studied. Emotionally aware students are found to be more physically active, and participating in FA can be an effective way to improve their physical, psychological and emotional health.

Correlation between body mass index, body perception and physical activity among university students

Background: With the current advancement in technology, sedentary lifestyles, and decreased physical activities, university students are highly prone to distorted body perceptions and obesity. However, limited studies have been conducted about body weight and body perception in university students studying in Pakistan. Objective: This research aimed to determine correlation between BMI, body perception and physical activity in university students. Methods: This is a correlational study. A sample size of 437 was calculated by online sample size calculator. Non-probability convenience sampling technique was used. The study was carried out in different universities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and the tools such as International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Body Mass Index, and Figure Rating Scale were used. Data was analyzed using SPSS 22. Results: BMI and body perception showed significant moderate positive correlation (r=0.472, p=<0.05). Physical activity showed significant weak correlation with body perception and BMI (r=0.125 and 0.024, p=<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded from the results of current study that students have misperceptions regarding their body weight but weight misperception was not a cognitive barrier in participants for physical activity and majority participants performed moderate to vigorous activities.

Intramural sports social networks and implications for college student physical activity, sense of community, and retention

Objective: This study examines associations between social networks developed through intramural sports and physical activity (PA), sense of community, and retention. Participants: College students participating in intramural sports at a large public university in the Southern United States (n = 250). Methods: Students self-reported PA, sense of community, retention, and social networks developed through intramural sports in Fall 2022. Logistic and linear regression determined significant individual and network factors associated with PA, sense of community, and retention. Results: Participants were significantly more likely to meet PA recommendations (Nagelkerke R2=.24) if they were younger, male, and reported more people in their networks were physically active often. Participants reported a greater sense of community (R2 =.28) and retention intention (R2 =.26) if they reported meeting PA recommendations, feeling closer to network members, and more relationships improving through intramurals. Conclusion: Results underline the importance of creating quality intramural experiences for college students.

Nicotine dependence affects cardiopulmonary endurance and physical activity in college students in Henan, China.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of smoking on physical activity level, emotional status, and cardiopulmonary endurance in healthy young Chinese college students in order to develop future nicotine dependence management solutions. This survey-based study was conducted in college students aged 19-26 years who were currently smoking. Cardio-respiratory endurance was assessed by estimating VO2max. Participants were given a questionnaire containing five factors from the Cigarette Dependence Scale-5 (CDS-5), also assessed were variables for physical activity level, using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and emotional status. The sports training behavior was assessed using the Coaching Behavior Scale for Sport (CBS-S). A total of 400 participants were randomly selected and included in the study. All of them were current smokers. The highest percentage of participants had a score of 4 on the CDS-5 (n=93, 23.2%), scored 3-5 on each module of sports training, and experienced negative emotions, particularly depression (n=172; 43.0%) and anger (n=162; 40.5%). VO2max levels were significantly lower in participants with high nicotine dependence (CDS-5 score 4-5), and they correlated negatively with CDS-5 scores (r= -0.883, p<0.001). Nicotine dependence scores were negatively correlated with physical activity levels (r= -0.830, p<0.001), and high nicotine dependence scores were independently related to low physical activity (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=14.66; 95% CI: 4.98-43.19 , p <0.001). Tobacco smoking has a negative impact on emotional status. It also reduces cardiopulmonary endurance by reducing VO2max levels and negatively affects physical activity. Accordingly, it is critical to implement effective tobacco prevention programs for college students, such as a smoking warning system and physical exercise training, as well as to educate them on how to quit smoking.