Meta-Analysis of Implementation Intentions Interventions in Promoting Physical Activity among University Students

Sanying Peng (), Ahmad Tajuddin Othman, Ahmad Zamri Khairani, Zhuang Zhou, Xiaogang Zhou, Fang Yuan and Jinghong Liang
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Sanying Peng: Department of Physical Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
Ahmad Tajuddin Othman: School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
Ahmad Zamri Khairani: School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
Zhuang Zhou: School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
Xiaogang Zhou: School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
Fang Yuan: College of International Languages and Cultures, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
Jinghong Liang: Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-16

Abstract: Implementation intentions (II) have demonstrated their efficacy in promoting physical activity (PA) among various populations, including adults, the general population, and those with chronic conditions. However, there is a dearth of meta-analyses examining this efficacy among university students. This meta-analysis aims to determine the effectiveness of II interventions in improving PA among university students. Six online databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, PsycINFO, and PsycArticle) were comprehensively searched. Recursive searching and grey literature collection strategies were employed to identify relevant studies. The meta-analysis employed a random-effects model to combine effect sizes for different PA outcomes. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies, and sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of the results. Twelve studies involving 1916 participants met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that II interventions significantly increased PA among university students compared to control groups (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12, 0.50, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed larger effect sizes in the following groups: publication year after 2013, inactive university students, the reinforcement group, the action planning group, and the intervention period of fewer than six weeks. The above findings offer compelling evidence that II interventions can effectively promote PA among university students. The integration of IIs with e-health platforms and the implementation of individualized and multifaceted intervention models exhibit promising sustainability for promoting PA on campus.

Keywords: action planning; coping planning; implementation intentions; meta-analysis; physical activity; university students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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