Monica M Maldari1, Jeanette M Garcia2, David J Rice3. 1. Department of Exercise and Sports Science, Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, USA. 2. Department of Health Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA. 3. Department of Exercise Science, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, Florida, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a 15-week, conceptually based university health/wellness course on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels, psychosocial factors, and health-related fitness knowledge (HRFK). Participants: 125 undergraduates enrolled during spring 2016 semester. Methods: Participants completed pre- and post-course surveys with questions on MVPA levels, exercise self-efficacy (SE), exercise motivation, and HRFK. Wilcoxon rank sum tests examined changes in SE, motivation, and HFRK. A multiple regression analysis examined associations among HRFK, psychosocial factors, and MVPA. Results: HRFK and MVPA increased from baseline to post-course assessment (p<.01). An increase in SE was associated with an increase in MVPA (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Enrollment in a conceptually based health/wellness course may increase MVPA and HRFK in college students. Although the increase in SE post-course was not significant, it was associated with an increase in MVPA. These results support adoption of health/wellness programming to attenuate decreases in MVPA typically observed in college students.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a 15-week, conceptually based university health/wellness course on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels, psychosocial factors, and health-related fitness knowledge (HRFK). Participants: 125 undergraduates enrolled during spring 2016 semester. Methods: Participants completed pre- and post-course surveys with questions on MVPA levels, exercise self-efficacy (SE), exercise motivation, and HRFK. Wilcoxon rank sum tests examined changes in SE, motivation, and HFRK. A multiple regression analysis examined associations among HRFK, psychosocial factors, and MVPA. Results: HRFK and MVPA increased from baseline to post-course assessment (p<.01). An increase in SE was associated with an increase in MVPA (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Enrollment in a conceptually based health/wellness course may increase MVPA and HRFK in college students. Although the increase in SE post-course was not significant, it was associated with an increase in MVPA. These results support adoption of health/wellness programming to attenuate decreases in MVPA typically observed in college students.
Entities:
Keywords:
College students; health education; health related fitness knowledge (HRFK); moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA); self-efficacy (SE)