Tempering the Decline in College Student Physical Activity Using Informational Interventions: Moderating Effects of Stress and Stage of Change

Abstract

An intervention was conducted to identify effective but feasible ways to combat the decline in physical activity (PA) among college students. One hundred forty‐six first year college students were randomly assigned to one of three brief interventions: brochures, a classroom presentation, or an in‐person demonstration. Benefiting from the study, having low perceived stress, and being in a later stage of change for PA were expected to protect against the typical decreases in PA outcomes. Declines in PA were slowed or reversed when students were influenced by the intervention, had lower stress, and were in earlier stages of change. Students may benefit from simple interventions such as one‐time seminars and brochures explaining fitness guidelines, especially if combined with a stress management intervention.

Exergame Use as a Gateway to the Adoption of and Adherence to Sport‐Specific and General Physical Activity

“…Minimum sample size needed (n=98) was determined through an apriori power analysis for an analysis of variance using a medium effect size, f = .25, alpha of .05, and power of .80. Demographic characteristics of the participants closely matched those seen in previous studies using a similar participant population (Dougall, et al, 2011). The sample (n = 103) was comprised of 69 females (68%) and 33 males (32%), with a single missing case.…”

“…For those in college, adjusting to a lifestyle that requires the student to keep a strict schedule between attending class, studying, extracurricular activities, and managing aspects of life outside of academia can be difficult. This routine has been known to exacerbate decreasing levels of physical activity, especially as a lack of time has been noted as one of the five most reported exercise barriers among this population (Dougall, Swanson, Grimm, Jenney & Frame, 2011);Grubbs & Carter, 2002). Therefore, the importance of intervening during this critical period is great.…”

“…Therefore, the importance of intervening during this critical period is great. However, intervention strategies used must be designed to accommodate time constraints and be easily accessible on campus, as many college students live nearby (Dougall, et al, 2011).…”

“…Removing these barriers improves the likelihood of frequent and beneficial use of this medium and can concurrently improve cognitive perceptions of physical activity. Surveys of exercise barriers have also shown the commonly negative attitudes that participants hold for physical activity (Dougall, et al, 2011;Grubbs, & Carter, 2002). By introducing or continuing physical activity through a medium that is generally perceived as fun, it is logical to expect an association to be established between the positive attitudes held for video games and engagement in physical activity.…”

Predictors of Cycling in College Students

“…It is possible that facilitators are more important for those who do not systematically engage in cycling regularly for transportation (e.g., those at earlier stages of change such as pre-contemplation and contemplation), and that those who regularly cycle for transportation (e.g., those in later stages of change such as maintenance) are not highly influenced by cycling facilitators 34 . Cyclists who regularly bike for transportation have already assimilated healthy levels of physical activity such that they will find a way to cycle for This…”