Behavior, Theory and Practice: Promoting Physical Activity among American College Students

Engaging in physical activity is a critical part of an individual's life and can be the precursor for well-being and a method of disease avoidance. Yet, many American college students fail to engage in adequate amounts of physical activity during their daily lives. To compound the issue, little has been published regarding physical activity promotion practices on American college campuses. The aims of this dissertation are twofold. The first aim of this dissertation will be to provide a review of literature that will (1) highlight various determinants of physical activity among American college students; (2) provide rationale for promoting physical activity during the college years; (3) present a review of student physical activity promotion programming on American college campuses; (4) summarize the results of the review and provide direction for future research and practice. The second aim of this dissertation will be to describe a qualitative investigation into physical activity promotion practices conducted on UNC system campuses and provide recommendations for future research and practice. "Pub Med," a collection of databases for articles from medical and health-related journals, was used to identify appropriate literature for the first aim of the dissertation. Search terms included: physical activity, promotion, college, college students, campus, intervention, programming, environment, and policy. Studies that included promotion programs for the general public were not included nor were any policies implemented by non-college affiliated organizations. This review of literature uncovered 14 published articles from 1999 to 2008 related to physical activity promotion on American college campuses. Results of the literature review suggest that of the studies attempting to promote physical activity among college students, most target intrapersonal factors and provide little evidence regarding the effects of institutional, community or policy factors on physical activity behaviors of college students. Furthermore, additional research is needed to assess the effects of scientifically established determinants of physical activity on college student behaviors. Finally, results of this review underscore the need for continued research that will provide a comprehensive understanding of how physical activity promotion on a college campus is currently accomplished. To accomplish the second aim of this dissertation, participants were recruited from North Carolina's multi-campus university system. Nonprobabilistic purposive sampling followed by snowball sampling was conducted to identify a total of 22 semi-structured interview participants across 15 state universities located in North Carolina. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim into a word document and subsequently uploaded into NVivo 8 qualitative software for analyses. The qualitative investigation into student physical activity promotion on University of North Carolina multi-campus system campuses lead to the uncovering of several key findings. First, participant responses suggest that there is currently an unspecified definition of physical activity promotion. Second, it was uncovered that most efforts to promote physical activity to students do not target scientifically established determinants of physical activity outside of intrapersonal level determinants. In addition, descriptions of current physical activity promotion practices provided by participants made evident the limited use of a social ecological approach to promote physical activity among college students. Ultimately, these findings lead to the development of several recommendations for both research and practice including the establishment of a standard definition of physical activity promotion for university practitioners as well as continued research regarding the effects of targeting social ecological factors on physical activity behaviors of students

Physical Activity Promotion on Campus: Using Empirical Evidence to Recommend Strategic Approaches to Target Female College Students

PROBLEM: A large number of American adults do not meet national physical activity (PA) guidelines for aerobic PA and muscle strengthening. Similarly, many American college students, specifically females do not engage in regular PA. Self Determination Theory can provide a basis for investigating motivational processes of PA. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between exercise motivation regulation and physical activity behaviors among college females in order to make recommendations for future campus-based health promotion practices. METHODS: Participants (n=470) completed a web-based survey including items from the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire various PA items. RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses indicate only Identified Regulation as a significant predictor of Moderate PA; both Identified and Intrinsic Regulation were significantly predictive of Vigorous PA; Identified Regulation was significantly predictive of strength training; and both Identified and Intrinsic Regulation were significantly predictive of Stretching. CONCLUSION: Findings demonstrate the need for further exploration of motivation regulation among college females. University campuses represent an ideal setting for promoting physical activity among large proportions of young adults, and evidence from this study and prevention science research should inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of uniquely female PA promotion efforts

College Students' Perceived Wellness Among Online, Face-to-Face, and Hybrid Formats of a Lifetime Physical Activity and Wellness Course

Background: College students are vulnerable to risks associated with unhealthy behaviors. Considering the role that colleges play in facilitating lifelong health and wellness behaviors of college students, health-related fitness (HRF) courses are being offered using multiple delivery formats. Purpose: There is a need to better understand the relationship between course delivery format and perceived wellness; thus, the purpose of this study was to assess perceived wellness among college students who self-selected into various delivery formats of a required university HRF course. Methods: The Perceived Wellness Survey was used due to its previously established reliability and validity for college populations. Participants included 378 college students enrolled in a HRF course. Results: Students with higher perceived wellness were more likely to be enrolled in online and hybrid course formats rather than face to face. Discussion: The results of this study provide a better understanding of the perceived wellness of college students enrolled in various course delivery formats of a HRF course that go beyond that of demographic differences. Translation to Health Education Practice: With this information, those delivering HRF courses have the opportunity to capitalize on this trend by tailoring instructional activities accordingly

The reliability and construct validity of American college students’ responses to the WHOQOL-BREF.

The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-100) instrument was developed to assess quality of life from a multi-dimensional perspective. A shorter 26-item version of the instrument was created called the WHOQOL-BREF, which is the focus of this study. Based on previous research, it is unclear if the WHOQOL-BREF instrument is appropriate for use with English-speaking, American college populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and construct validity of English-speaking, American College Students’ responses to WHOQOL-BREF. One thousand seven hundred and seventy- three American college students from a southeastern university completed the WHOQOL-BREF in a confidential online format. Factor analyses were conducted and model fit was assessed using multiple fit indices. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated that the prescribed four-factor model did not provide a good fit for the current data. An Exploratory Factor Analysis indicated a five-factor model was the best fit. However, the results of goodness-of-fit indices indicated the five-factor model was also a poor fit. This research showed inadequate construct validity through confirmatory factor analysis. Further validation studies of the instrument with English-speaking, American college students are recommended

Student-athlete concussion disclosure and coach communication within collegiate athletics

Background: Between 1.6 and 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions occur in the United States annually. Reports indicate that a significant number of athletes who have experienced symptoms of a potential sport-related concussion did not disclose their symptoms. Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of coach communication about concussion disclosure on student-athlete intentions to disclose symptoms of a concussion and encourage another student-athlete to disclose their concussion symptoms. Methods: A total of 2881 student-athletes completed a web-based survey during Fall of 2016. Multiple linear regression was conducted to primarily investigate the relationship between coach communication and intentions to disclose concussion symptoms. Secondarily, biological sex, year in school, athletic division, and sport category was also assessed. Results: Coach communication predicted greater intentions to disclose symptoms to their coach, athletic trainer/sports medicine sports medicine staff member and encourage another athlete to disclose their symptoms of a concussion. Biological sex and sport category also predicted intentions to disclose concussion symptoms. Discussion: Findings from this study provide support for the important role coaches play in an athlete’s regarding concussion safety and introduces preliminary evidence suggesting the impact of coach communication on athlete intentions to disclose concussion symptoms to a coach or athletic trainer/sports medicine staff member. Conclusion: Future studies and behavioral interventions ought to consider the inclusion of coach communication or other coach-related variables when exploring concussion disclosure among athletes

Investigating Motivation for Physical Activity among Minority College Females using the BREQ-2

Adolescents who engage in regular physical activity experience increased academic performance and grades, improved academic behavior, such as time on task, as well as an increase in other factors that influence academic achievement. Despite physical activity recommendations, regular engagement in physical activity is still an issue among American adolescents. Furthermore, physically inactive lifestyles are highest among minority populations, lower socioeconomic groups, and women. Self Determination Theory provides a basis for investigating the cognitive, affective and motivational processes of physical activity. At present time, there is a dearth of research exploring motivation of physical activity among minority female college students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the type of motivation that is most strongly related to moderate physical activity, vigorous physical activity, strength training and stretching among college-aged African American females in an effort to consider ways to improve physical activity promotion efforts on a college campus. Students enrolled in a required basic studies physical education and wellness course at a southeastern state university were invited to participate in data collection activities. Participants were invited to complete the modified Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2), a 19-item questionnaire designed to measure motivation for physical activity. Of the 1422 college students that agreed to participate, 54 identified themselves as a non-Caucasian female. Results offered limited support for the hypothesis that those who are extrinsically motivated would engage in more physical activity. Nevertheless, a required physical activity class for college students could potentially provide an opportunity for those who would otherwise be amotivated for physical activity to engage in regular physical activities

Construct validity of college students’ responses to the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2)

The purpose of this study was to assess the construct validity and reliability of college students' responses to the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2) to be used in campus recreation programs and physical activity and wellness courses. The BREQ-2 is a 19-item questionnaire used to assess exercise motivation through the application of five subscales. Five hundred eighty-nine students completed the BREQ-2. Using SPSS 20.0 and AMOS 20.0, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. A review of reliability coefficients indicated the internal consistency of factors would not be improved by removing survey items. The standardized parameter estimates of the five-factor model indicated the BREQ-2 is an adequate fit for measuring exercise motivation factors among this sample of American college students

Health disparities and health promotion needs of college students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities: A systematic literature review

Objective: A new population of college students is emerging on campuses across the United States: students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). With this new and growing population of college students, an important question persists: are their health and wellness needs being identified and met? Participants/Methods: ProQuest Central, WorldCat, General OneFile, and ArticleFirst were searched in June 2017 using the following criteria: health of college students with IDD, health of adults with IDD, health of adolescents with IDD, and peer-reviewed. Twenty-four articles were selected for final review. Results: Specific health and wellness topics were revealed: transition experiences and worries; college experiences, coping strategies, and support needs; sexuality, dating, and romantic relationships; mental health; and drugs and alcohol. Conclusions: Research on this unique population should continue, and the etiology of health and wellness issues of college students with IDD should be established to develop and implement evidence-based programing

Polysubstance use among first-year NCAA collegiate student-athletes

The purpose of this article is to investigate polysubstance use among college student-athletes and determine whether use is independent of gender, race, season status, and athletic division. College student-athletes responded to questions related to their past-30-day use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drugs. Findings suggest that polysubstance use differs significantly by gender, race, season status, and athletic division. Although a majority of college student-athletes do not engage in polysubstance use, it is reported more frequently for alcohol and tobacco, and alcohol and marijuana. Due to serious consequences associated with polysubstance use, practitioners should consider expanding prevention and treatment efforts to address polysubstance use

Binge-drinking and non-binge-drinking student-athletes: The Role of Proximal Norms, Negative Expectancies, and Selected Socio-Demographic Variables

Researchers have identified college student-athletes as a subgroup at risk for heavy drinking and associated consequences. Yet, few studies have examined multiple variables simultaneously to determine which stand out as most robust to explain drinking behavior among student-athletes. Student-athletes from 54 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) member institutions (N = 2,659) completed an online questionnaire as part of an online alcohol education program. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated a unique profile based on descriptive and injunctive norms and alcohol outcome expectancies among binge-drinking student-athletes compared to non-binge-drinking athletes. Gender differences also emerged within the sample. Implications for campus mental health, university, and athletic personnel are discussed