Strategies and Best Practices That Enhance the Physical Activity Levels of Undergraduate University Students: A Systematic Review

Chanté Johannes (), Nicolette V. Roman, Sunday O. Onagbiye, Simone Titus and Lloyd L. Leach
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Chanté Johannes: Department of Sports, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
Nicolette V. Roman: Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Families, and Society, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
Sunday O. Onagbiye: Department of Sports, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
Simone Titus: Department of Sports, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
Lloyd L. Leach: Department of Sports, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 2, 1-22

Abstract: Significant numbers of undergraduate university students are not meeting the physical activity guidelines recommended by the World Health Organisation. These guidelines suggest that university students should aim for 150–300 min of moderate or 75–150 min of vigorous physical activity. Strategic interventions need to be implemented to address this global public health concern. The aim of this study was to review the strategies and best practices to enhance the physical activity levels of undergraduate university students. Utilising the PRISMA guidelines, electronic databases—PubMed, Science Direct, Academic Search Complete, ERIC, Web of Science, CINAHL, SAGE, and SPORTDiscus—were searched between September 2022 and February 2023 using terms and synonyms related to physical activity, strategies, best practices, and undergraduate university students. Studies were critically assessed for their quality using an adapted version of the CASP and RE-AIM frameworks. Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria for the review. The studies reported the use of social media platforms, mobile phone applications, web-based technology, online text messages, in-person classes, and an “exergame” as methods to increase engagement in physical activity. Findings from this review indicated that validated questionnaires emerged as the predominant measurement tool. Furthermore, the frequent use of social network sites served as a best practice for implementing and promoting physical activity interventions. It is recommended that universities promote health-enhancing physical activities based on current trends and strategies, such as technology-based interventions and the use of social media, that are relevant to contemporary university students.

Keywords: physical activity; strategies; best practices; undergraduate university students; systematic review; participation; sustainable development goals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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