Japanese Journal of Health Promotion
Online ISSN : 2758-3449
Print ISSN : 1345-0174
Perceived barriers and facilitators related to exercise intention and behavior among university students
Seiryu TAKESHITA Kazuhiro HARADASusumu TAMURA
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2024 Volume 26 Issue 2 Pages 137-144

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Abstract

BACKGROUND:Exercise behavior can improve physical health, mental health, and academic performance among university students. However, according to the national statistics, considerable number of university students do not engage in exercise behavior. Although previous studies have investigated the associations of perceived barriers and facilitators with exercise intention and behavior among various populations, few studies have targeted on Japanese university students. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to examine which factors of perceived barriers and facilitators were associated with exercise intention and behavior among Japanese university students. METHODS:This study was a cross-sectional study. An online survey asked participants about their level of exercise intention(single item with four-Likert scale), exercise behavior(twice a week or more, less than twice a week), and five perceived barriers(discomfort, lack of time, lack of social support, lack of motivation, poor physical environment)and five facilitators(physical benefit, psychological benefit, social benefit, weight management, self-improvement)to exercise. This study conducted a path analysis. RESULTS:Fifty-five people(31.40%)exercised twice a week or more. The path analysis showed that although all barriers and facilitators were not significantly associated with exercise behavior, exercise intention was significantly and positively associated with exercise behavior. Furthermore, while psychological benefit and lack of time were significantly and positively associated with exercise intention, lack of motivation and discomfort were significantly and negatively associated with exercise intention. CONCLUSION:These results suggest that individual-level factors, such as perceived psychological benefits, motivation, and discomfort, would be important for promoting exercise intention and behavior among university students.

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© 2024 Japan Society of Health Promotion
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