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.