ERIC Number: EJ1234100
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Oct
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0273-5024
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Available Date: N/A
The Application of Optimal Defaults to Physical Education Courses in College Students: A Simulation Study
DiMatteo, Julie; Radnitz, Cynthia; Loeb, Katharine L.; Ni, Jingwen
Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, v38 n4 p393-397 Oct 2019
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine if automatic enrollment in exercise-promoting courses on a college campus, with a choice to opt out, would increase enrollment. Method: In a simulated course selection paradigm, 317 college students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: optimal default (automatic enrollment in an active physical education well-being course with the choice to opt out to a sedentary alternative), suboptimal default (automatic enrollment in a sedentary well-being course with the option to select an alternative active physical education courses), or free choice. Data were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: Participants in the optimal default condition were significantly more likely to enroll in an active physical education well-being course compared with those in the suboptimal-default and free-choice conditions. Discussion/Conclusions: Setting optimal physical education course defaults in the college environment can promote student health by increasing the likelihood of enrolling in exercise-promoting courses.
Descriptors: Physical Education, College Students, Course Selection (Students), Exercise, Enrollment Trends, Well Being, Physical Activity Level, Comparative Analysis, Student Attitudes, Health Promotion
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
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