PAAS – Physical activity awareness counseling to promote sports adherence and daily physical activity among female university students: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Promoting physical activity (PA) through structured counseling is a supportive, nonstigmatizing strategy to encourage sustained engagement in exercise and sports. This study evaluated the impact of PA and Fitness Awareness Counseling Sessions (PAAS) on exercise adherence and daily activity and psychosocial outcomes among female Jazan University students. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six female health sciences students from Jazan University (mean age: 21.6 ± 1.2 years; baseline Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 scores: 0–20; PA level [PAL]: 1.20–1.99) were allocated randomly (1:1) to intervention or control groups (n = 18 in each group). Both the groups followed a 12-week structured, sports-specific exercise program, while the intervention group additionally received three PAAS sessions (60 min each), every 6 weeks, focusing on goal-setting and fitness awareness, complemented by weekly motivational support. Outcomes included daily moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and metabolic equivalent of task minutes per week (MET-min/week), along with PAL (International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form), Exercise Adherence Rating Scale (EARS), Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES), and accelerometer-derived activity metrics. Baseline and postintervention assessments were performed and analyzed using parametric or nonparametric tests. Results: Postintervention, 82% of the intervention group versus 31% of controls achieved MVPA engagement with body mass index, daily walk minutes, and ESES as significant positive predictors of EARS. The intervention group showed higher odds of regular exercise (odds ratio = 2.64; 95% confidence interval: 1.23–5.63; P = 0.005) and significant improvements in MET-min/week, PAL, EARS, ESES, and daily activity metrics ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Incorporating PA and Fitness Awareness Counseling Sessions into university health programs may be an effective strategy to encourage sustainable PA behaviors among female students.