Physical Activity, Sport Participation, and Perceived Barriers to Engagement in First-Year Canadian University Students

University (i.e., college) students often encounter constraints to physical activity and sport participation that alter, or totally prevent, participation. The purpose of this study was to examine first-year university students’ negotiation of participation constraints and how their negotiation strategies had changed following the transition from high school to a university ( transition). Data were collected from 121 first-year students at a New Zealand university using an online questionnaire. Data were collected on the duration, frequency, and types of physical activity in relation to high school and university, sociodemographic variables, and students’ use of negotiation strategies. Changes in negotiation and participation following the transition were assessed using open-ended questions. Following the transition, students’ participation preferences/patterns had changed. Analysis revealed three prominent negotiation factors: well-being management, interpersonal, and time prioritization and financial management. Differences in negotiation based on sociodemographic variables and participation were also revealed. The relationships between motives, negotiation, constraints, and participation were also explored.

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Health related physical activity behaviour of first year university students

International Sports Studies ◽

10.30819/iss.38-1.03 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 25-35

Author(s):

Peter Le Rossignol ◽

Myrna Boertien ◽

Eng Hoe Wee

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Physical Activity Behaviour ◽

First Year ◽

Health Related ◽

First Year University ◽

Activity Behaviour

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Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity and Related Factors in Spanish University Students

Open Journal of Preventive Medicine ◽

10.4236/ojpm.2014.44022 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 04 (04) ◽

pp. 164-174 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Rodolfo Iván Martínez-Lemos ◽

Anna María Puig-Ribera ◽

Oscar García-García

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Related Factors ◽

Barriers To Physical Activity

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The Impact of a Web-Based Mindfulness, Nutrition and Fitness Platform on the Health Status of First-Year University Students: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.24534 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Claire F Trottier ◽

Jessica RL Lieffers ◽

Steven T Johnson ◽

João F Mota ◽

Roshni K Gill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Control Group ◽

First Year ◽

Web Based ◽

Related Quality ◽

First Year University ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND First-year university students are at increased risk for presenting with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and poor nutritional status. Self-care plays an essential role in optimizing mental health and can prevent/treat stress, anxiety and depression. Web-based self-monitoring of diet and physical activity can lead to similar or improved health outcomes compared to conventional methods. Such tools are also popular among university students. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this 12-week randomized control trial was to assess the impact of a web-based wellness platform on perceived stress among first-year university students. The study’s secondary outcome was to assess the effects of the platform on diet quality and exploratory outcomes were body composition, health related quality of life, mindfulness, mental wellbeing and physical activity. METHODS Ninety-seven first-year undergraduate students were randomized to either the intervention (n=48) or control (n=49) group. The intervention consisted of access to a web-based platform called My Viva Plan® (MVP) which aims to support healthy living on the topics of mindfulness, nutrition, and fitness. The platform is fully automated and is guided by principals of cognitive behavior theory. Participants in the intervention group were instructed to use MVP as frequently as possible over 12 weeks. The control group did not receive access to MVP. Perceived stress was assessed using the Stress Indicators Questionnaire at baseline, week 6 and week 12. Three day food records were used to analyze dietary intake at baseline and week 12. Health related quality of life, mindfulness, mental wellbeing and physical activity questionnaires were completed at baseline, week 6 and week 12 and body composition was assessed at baseline and week 12. Study assessments were completed in-person at baseline and week 12 and electronically at week 6. RESULTS Study recruitment started in August 2018 with batch enrollment for students registered in the fall (September 2018 to December 2018) and winter (January 2019 to April 2019) academic terms at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. Eighty participants completed the 12-week trial (n=35 in the intervention group; n=45 in the control group). All data collection ended in May 2019. CONCLUSIONS This project is the first to explore the impact of an online platform designed to promote health and wellness; it will also shed light into its applicability in first-year university students. If successful, this may become an important health care tool for preventative care in first year university students. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03579264

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Influence of sociodemographic and economic factors on physical activity among university students

Revista Brasileira em Promoção da saúde ◽

10.5020/18061230.2020.10745 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Suellem Regina Chamberllem ◽

Márcia Gonçalves Ferreira ◽

Paulo Rogério Melo Rodrigues ◽

Patrícia Simone Nogueira ◽

Rosângela Alves Pereira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Short Version ◽

First Year ◽

Full Time ◽

Activity Time ◽

Mato Grosso ◽

Independent Variables ◽

Economic Class

Objective: To estimate the influence of socioeconomic factors on the variation in time spent by university students on physical activity after the first academic year. Methods: Quantitative longitudinal study of 348 full-time university students aged 16-25 years from the capital of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Change in time spent on moderate and vigorous physical activity was assessed in minutes per week through the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The following independent variables were analyzed: gender, age, race/skin color, economic class, students’ housemates and field of study. Multinomial regression analysis was used to check for associations between physical activity time variation in tertiles and the independent variables. Results: The overall change in median physical activity time in one year was -90.0 minutes/week. Students of higher socioeconomic status maintained the same physical activity time, while those in other socioeconomic classes showed a decrease in such time after the first year at university. After adjustments, lower economic class (OR=2.85; 95%CI= 1.26-6.43) and living in a shared house (OR=2.84; 95%CI= 1.26-6.38) were associated with decrease in time spent on physical activity. Conclusion: There was a decrease in time spent on physical activity among students belonging to the lower economic classes who lived in a shared house after the first year at university.

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Physical Activity and Associated Constraints Following the Transition From High School to University

Recreational Sports Journal ◽

10.1177/1558866121995138 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 52-60

Author(s):

Oliver W. A. Wilson ◽

Simon R. Walters ◽

Michael E. Naylor ◽

Jenny C. Clarke

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Time Management ◽

Online Survey ◽

First Year ◽

Transition To University ◽

Transition From High School ◽

First Year University ◽

Quantitative And Qualitative Methods ◽

Shed Light

The considerable changes in physical activity (PA) during the transition to university are likely associated with changes in PA constraints during this transition. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in PA and associated constraints among first-year university students during the transition to university. Data concerning sociodemographic characteristics, PA behaviors, and changes in PA and constraints were collected from 121 first-year New Zealand university students via an online survey. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. Findings revealed that following the transition, PA declined significantly, that PA participation patterns/trends had changed (from team/group sports to individual activities and to less competitive and/or more social activities), and that changes in constraints (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and time management) may have influenced changes. Findings shed light on how changes in constraints potentially influence PA following the transition and provide evidence to inform the development of policies and interventions to promote student PA.

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UniStArt: A 12-Month Prospective Observational Study of Body Weight, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity Levels in Australian First-Year University Students

10.20944/preprints202111.0437.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nina Wilson ◽

Anthony Villani ◽

Sze-Yen Tan ◽

Evangeline Mantzioris

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Weight ◽

Observational Study ◽

University Students ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

First Year ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Sedentary Behaviours ◽

First Year University

Background: Students in the United States gain weight significantly during their first year of university, but limited data is available for Australian students. Methods: This 12-month observational study was conducA 12-Month Prospective Observational Study of Body Weight, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity Levels in Australian First-Year University Studentsted to monitor monthly body weight and body composition, as well as quarterly eating behaviours, dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and basal metabolic rate changes amongst first-year Australian university students. Participants were first-year university students over 18 years. Results: Twenty-two first-year university students (5 males, 17 females) completed the study. Female students gained weight significantly at two, three and four-months (+0.9 kg; +1.5kg; +1.1 kg, p <0.05). Female waist circumference (2.5cm increase at two-months, p=0.012) and body fat also increased (+0.7%, p=0.04 at two-months; +0.9%, p=0.026 at three-months). Intake of sugar, saturated fat (both >10% of total energy) and sodium exceeded recommended levels (>2300 mg) at 12-months. Greater sedentary behaviours were observed amongst male students throughout the study (p <0.05). Conclusions: Female students are at risk of unfavourable changes in body composition during the first year of university, while males are at risk of increased sedentary behaviours. High intakes of saturated fat, sugars and sodium warrant future interventions in such a vulnerable group.

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Perceived barriers to the uptake of health services among first-year university students in Johannesburg, South Africa

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0245427 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e0245427

Author(s):

Nozipho Orykah Musakwa ◽

Jacob Bor ◽

Cornelius Nattey ◽

Elisabet Lönnermark ◽

Peter Nyasulu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Services ◽

University Students ◽

Waiting Time ◽

Health Workers ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

First Year ◽

Sufficient Information ◽

The Past

Background Young people face many barriers to accessing appropriate health care services including screening for HIV and tuberculosis (TB). The study aimed to identify perceived barriers to the uptake of health services among young adults entering the tertiary education system in South Africa. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among first-year students aged 18–25 years, registered at one of three universities in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2017. Participants completed a self-administered paper-based questionnaire. We describe perceived barriers to accessing health services, stratified by gender and recent engagement in TB or HIV services, together with sources of information about HIV and TB. Results Seven hundred and ninety-two (792) students were included in the study of which 54.8% were female. Perceived barriers to accessing services included long waiting time (n = 342,43.2%), attitude of health workers (n = 263,33.2%), lack of sufficient information/poor health literacy (n = 148,18.7%), and inability to leave/stay away from studies (n = 137,17.3%). Among participants who tested for HIV in the past 6 months (n = 400, 50.5%), waiting time and attitude of health care workers were perceived as barriers to accessing services. Compared to males, females were more likely to view attitudes of health workers (40.3% vs. 25.0%; p = 0.001) and inability to leave/stay away from studies (20.5% vs.13.4%; p = 0.025) as potential barriers. While just over half of the students (50.5%; 400/792) in this study had accessed health services in the past 6 months, very few (15.0%) opted to use campus health services, and even less (5%) reported receiving information about HIV and TB from the university itself. Conclusion Despite perceived barriers to accessing HIV and TB services off campus, fewer than one in five students starting out at university opted to use campus health services. Campus health services could address many of the barriers unique to university students.

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Levels of Physical Activity, Patterns, and Perceived Barriers, Among University Students in Oman: A cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Social Science and Economics ◽

10.22158/ijsse.v1n1p49 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. p49

Author(s):

Amal Al Siyabi ◽

Ozayr Mahomed ◽

Huda Al Siyabi ◽

Sitwat Usman Langrial ◽

Salah T. Al Awaidy

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

University Students ◽

Short Form ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Physical Activity ◽

Highly Active

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, pattern, and the perceived barriers, of physical activity among Omani university students studying in Oman.Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire using the short-form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was disseminated to a selected sample of university students, from their second academic year onwards through Whats AppTM. Descriptive, Bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted to measure patterns, levels and associated factors. Results: Overall 44% were classified as highly active, 30% as moderately active, and 26% as lowly active or inactive. Younger students (?22 years), male students, respondents with a positive perception of weight (normal or below), and self-perceived physically active (moderate to high) were more likely to engage in moderate to high physical activity. Students in university for ? 4 years (OR: 2.69) and students were members of sports youth clubs (OR: 2.76) were significantly more likely to engage in moderate or high physical activity. Lack of motivation was the top barrier of physical activity.Conclusions: More than a quarter of surveyed Omani university students were physically inactive which has the potential to have a detrimental effect on their health and well-being. Therefore, creating a conducive environment is essential for improving short and long-term health outcomes.

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