Abstract

SEVIL SERRANO, Javier et al. Perceived barriers to Physical Activity in University Students. Differences in Gender and Physical Activity Levels. Univ. Psychol. [online]. 2017, vol.16, n.4, pp.303-317. ISSN 1657-9267.  https://doi.org/10.11144/javeriana.upsy16-4.bppa.

University stage is a sensitive moment about doing physical activity (PA), especially in women. The main objective of this study was to identify the barriers to PA in university students and analyze possible differences in gender and compliance with PA guidelines established in adults by World Health Organization (2010). 901 students (M = 22.59; SD = 3.59) completed the IPAQ-SF and the Scale of Perceived Barriers. Among the results, the barriers related to lack of time obtained the highest values among the university population. The MANOVA showed that students who failing to meet PA guidelines perceived higher values ​​in most analyzed barriers than the students who meet PA guidelines. Likewise, women who met the PA guidelines presented higher values in all the barriers analyzed than the men who met the PA guidelines. In addition, women who failing to meet PA guidelines presented higher values in the barriers related to time and disliking of PA than the men who failing to meet PA guidelines. In summary, this study showed a high prevalencia of barriers in university students, especially in women. The results highlight the importance of developing health policies and PA interventions targeting university students.

Keywords : health; lifestyle; barriers; college; physical activity; recommendations.

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