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Article
Physical activity behaviors, motivation, and self - efficacy among college students
College Student Journal (2013)
  • Jeff Pauline, Syracuse University
Abstract

Despite the well documented benefits of an active lifestyle, lack of physical activity is a significant health problem in college students. The purpose of this descriptive study was to attain baseline physical activity behaviors, motivation factors, and self-efficacy levels to assist with developing tailored physical activity programs and interventions targeted for young adults on a college campus. Eight hundred and seventy-one undergraduate students completed the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, Exercise Motivation Inventory-2, and an exercise self-efficacy questionnaire to assess physical activity behavior, motivation, and self-efficacy respectively. Males engaged in more minutes per session of vigorous and moderate intensity physical activity than females. Approximately 18% of the participants did not participate in any vigorous or moderate physical activity. Women were more motivated by weight management, appearance, nimbleness, positive health, and stress management, and men were motivated by performance and ego-oriented factors, such as challenge, strength and endurance, competition, affiliation, and social recognition. Males reported significantly higher levels of coping and scheduling self-efficacy for physical activity than females. The data suggests a continued need for physical activity promotion and practitioners may need to consider gender when developing physical activity interventions for college students.

Keywords
  • physical activity behaviors
Disciplines
Publication Date
March, 2013
Citation Information
Jeff Pauline. "Physical activity behaviors, motivation, and self - efficacy among college students" College Student Journal Vol. 47 Iss. 1 (2013)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jeff_pauline/1/