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Varela, V., Cancela, J.M., Ayán, C., Martín, V. and Molina, A. (2012) Lifestyle and Health among Spanish University Students: Differences by Gender and Academic Discipline. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 9, 2728-2741. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph9082728

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity and Related Factors in Spanish University Students

  AUTHORS: Rodolfo Iván Martínez-Lemos, Anna María Puig-Ribera, Oscar García-García

  KEYWORDS: University Students; Barriers; Physical Activity

  JOURNAL NAME: Open Journal of Preventive Medicine, Vol.4 No.4, April 11, 2014

  ABSTRACT: Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of readiness of change for physical activity (PA), sociodemographic factors, lifestyle and physical activity status (PAS) on perceived barriers among Spanish university students. Participants: Seven hundred and seventy two (n = 772) men and women ages 17-39 at a north-west regional university in Spain participated in the study. Methods: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the States of Change for Physical Activity Behaviour Questionnaire and the Self-perceived Barriers for Physical Activity Questionnaire were used. Description, correlation and multiple regression analyses were completed. Results: Participants self-perceived low average-score barriers (2.6 ± 1.4 over 10.0). The 3-higher scores barriers corresponded to “too much work”; “lack of time for exercise” and “laziness”. Gender, PAS and self-perceived health were shown to be associated with perceived barriers. Conclusions: University institutions should consider those factors that predict barriers to PA to develop effective intervention programs.