ERIC Number: EJ773618
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 6
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Prevalence of Physical Activity Maintenance in a Sample of University Students: A Longitudinal Study
Irwin, Jennifer D.
Journal of American College Health, v56 n1 p37-42 Jul-Aug 2007
The health and financial costs of physical inactivity are staggering. Few researchers have assessed the prevalence of physical activity at the level needed to gain health benefits. Objective: The author's purpose in this longitudinal study was to assess the prevalence of university students who maintained physical activity at the level necessary for health gains for at least 1 month. Participants: University students (N = 392) from 2 campuses participated in this 1-month study. Methods: The author administered a survey to the same group of students at baseline and 1 month later to assess the prevalence of students who met and maintained the physical activity guideline for health (PAGH). Results: Thirty-five percent of students maintained the PAGH for 1 month. Conclusion: The majority of students in this study were insufficiently physically active. Given that insufficient physical activity may lead to serious health concerns, interventions are needed to improve activity maintenance in this population. The Adapted Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire is appended. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Incidence, Physical Activities, Physical Activity Level, Health Behavior, Exercise Physiology, Longitudinal Studies, Student Surveys, Foreign Countries, Undergraduate Students, Research Design
Heldref Publications. 1319 Eighteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036-1802. Tel: 800-365-9753; Tel: 202-296-6267; Fax: 202-293-6130; e-mail: subscribe@heldref.org; Web site: http://www.heldref.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A