The Influence of Motivators and Barriers to Exercise on Attaining Physical Activity and Sedentary Time Guidelines among Canadian Undergraduate Students

Liam P. Pellerine, Nick W. Bray, Jonathon R. Fowles, Joyla A. Furlano, Anisa Morava, Taniya S. Nagpal and Myles W. O’Brien ()
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Liam P. Pellerine: Division of Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Nick W. Bray: Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Jonathon R. Fowles: Centre of Lifestyle Studies, School of Kinesiology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
Joyla A. Furlano: Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada
Anisa Morava: School of Kinesiology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
Taniya S. Nagpal: Faculty of Kinesiology Sport and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
Myles W. O’Brien: Division of Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-10

Abstract: Canadian 24 h movement guidelines recommend engaging in >150 min/week of moderate–vigorous-intensity physical activity and ≤8 h/day of sedentary time. Half of Canadian post-secondary students do not meet physical activity or sedentary time guidelines. This pan-Canadian study aimed to (1) identify commonly cited motivators/barriers to exercise, and (2) determine which motivators/barriers were most influential for attaining physical and sedentary activity guidelines. A total of 341 respondents (279 females, 23 ± 4 years old, 53% met activity guidelines, 49% met sedentary guidelines) completed an online survey regarding undergraduate student lifestyle behaviours. Improved physical health (74% of respondents), mental health (67%), physical appearance (60%), and athletic performance (28%) were the most common motivators to exercise. The most common barriers were school obligations (68%), time commitments (58%), job obligations (32%), and lack of available fitness classes (26%). Students citing improved athletic performance (odds ratio (OR) = 1.94, p = 0.02) were more likely to adhere to activity guidelines, while those who selected physical health (OR = 0.56, p = 0.03) and physical appearance (OR = 0.46, p = 0.001) as motivators were less likely to meet activity guidelines. Students who cited school obligations as a barrier were less likely (OR = 0.59, p = 0.03) to meet sedentary guidelines. The motivators and barriers identified provide a foundation for university-led initiatives aimed at promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary time among undergraduate students. Strategies that positively re-frame students’ physical health and appearance-based motivations for exercise may be particularly useful in helping more students achieve national activity recommendations.

Keywords: exercise motivations; university students; self-report survey; logistic regression analysis; perceptions of movement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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