Background: While research suggests that college courses contribute to significant health benefits, there is limited research on the effectiveness of these courses in increasing motivation and lifetime PA habits of college students. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of choice in a conceptually-based college health and wellness course on exercise motivation and physical activity of undergraduate students. Method: Participants included undergraduate students (N = 81) enrolled in a health and wellness course at a four-year liberal arts university located in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. Quantitative data from the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire and the Leisure Time in Exercise Questionnaire were collected over three time points from two groups (choice and non-choice). Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with course instructors (N = 4) and open-ended questions were also collected. Results: There was a significant increase in intrinsic regulation F(2, 158) = 10.13, p = .00, η p

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Barriers reported by the rural women were similar to those identified in other settings. Some perceptions confirmed myths about the health value of exercise during pregnancy, but did not confirm barriers commonly cited or assumed for reduced physical activity among rural residents.

This study examined the efficacy of the Jawbone UP platform for increasing physical activity and improving sleep quality among African American college women using a randomized controlled trial. Participants were college-aged (19.9 ± 1.7 years) African American women (N = 69) at a southeastern midsize university in United States. The trial began in September 2013 and concluded in February 2014. Each group received similar brief training to use the respective platforms and weekly emails encouraged regular continued engagement. There was a significant difference at the 8-week follow-up, such that the intervention group decreased step counts relative to the comparison app (9,378 vs. 11,287 steps; p = .02). For sleep, neither group demonstrated any changes in sleep duration, sleep onset latency, wakefulness after sleep onset, or sleep efficiency at the 6-week posttest or 8-week follow-up. This

Though the positive link between physical activity and maternal health is well documented, physical activity declines during pregnancy and, internationally, rural mothers are less likely than urban mothers to engage in physical activity. Some evidence suggests that self-efficacy is related to sustained engagement in physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and knowledge of safe exercise among 88 rural pregnant women in a southeastern region of the United States. Exercise self-efficacy was significantly related to maternal age and gestation. Women over age 26 years, and those in the second and third trimesters, scored significantly higher than younger women or those in the first trimester. Fifty-two percent (n = 46) of participants perceived that activity would decrease energy levels, 37.5% (n = 33) did not know that exercise can decrease the risk of gestational diabetes, and 47.6% (n = 41) were unaware that a mother who is overweight is more likely to have an overweight child. Results confirm a need for education to improve women's knowledge about health benefits and safety information related to physical activity during pregnancy.

As technology usage continues to evolve within the college student population, health professionals need to understand its implications on health behaviors.

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an early intervention health education campaign to positively influence physical activity (PA) knowledge, intention, and performance among prenatal women and women of reproductive age. Methods This study employed a quantitative, quasi-experimental, control-group comparison design with nonprobability sampling methodology. Implemented in rural healthcare settings located in the Southeastern portion of the United States, participants included prenatal patients and patients of reproductive age (n = 325) from two separate obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) offices. While the intervention group was solicited from an OB/GYN office where the information-based health education campaign was implemented, the comparison group was solicited from a comparable OB/GYN office that did not implement the health education campaign. Results The women exposed to the PA health education campaign were significantly more likely to report that PA information was provided at their physician's office, scored higher on PA knowledge, and were more likely to meet the guidelines for vigorous PA and strength training (p < 0.05). Conclusions Physical activity educational campaigns are a cost effective intervention that can be implemented in healthcare settings to promote maternal and child health.