Physical activity and perceived benefits, but not barriers, to exercise differ by sex and school year among college students. Issue 5 (22nd June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frederick, Ginny M.; Williams, Ewan R.; Castillo-Hernández, Isaura M.; Evans, Ellen M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 70:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 1426
• Page End: 1433
• Publication Date: 2022-06-22
• Subjects: Barriers -- benefits -- college students -- perceptions -- physical activity -- school year; College students -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; College students -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; College students -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services -- Periodicals; 362.10883781980973
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1800711
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To assess whether sex or school year influence physical activity and exercise (PA/EX) behaviors and perceived benefits and barriers of PA/EX among college students. Participants: Participants were 862 (78% female; 20.1 ± 1.4 years) college students. Methods: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale, and resistance training (RT) questions were completed online. Results: Factorial ANOVA (sex x year) determined no significant interaction effects of sex and school year in behaviors or perceived benefits and barriers (all p > .05). Males reported higher levels of PA/EX and RT than females ( p < .05) with no differences by school year ( p = .34). Benefits Scale scores and some of its subscales were higher for males and first-year students compared to females and third- and fourth-year students (all p < .05). Conclusion: PA/EX promotion programs may need to be tailored differently based on sex and school year.