Vigorous physical activity among college students: Using the health belief model to assess involvement and social support

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine college students’ perceived benefits, barriers, cues to action, and extent of involvement in vigorous physical activity.   Methods : A convenience sample of 480 participants (92% response rate) was surveyed at a Midwestern university.  Valid and reliable subscales were developed for the 21-item questionnaire. Analyses were conducted to examine whether benefits, barriers, cues, and vigorous physical activity involvement differed significantly based on: sex, grade level, parental exercise patterns, parental encouragement, peer exercise patterns, and peer encouragement .  Results: Results indicated that participants’ involvement in vigorous physical activity each week was on average 2.36 days.  Parent and peer involvement in and encouragement of vigorous physical activity significantly affected the number of perceived benefits, barriers, cues and involvement in vigorous physical activity.  Results showed significant correlations between the number of perceived benefits, barriers, cues to action, and the extent of involvement in vigorous physical activity. Conclusions: The number of perceived benefits and cues to exercise was associated with higher vigorous physical activity involvement, while the number of perceived barriers was associated with lower vigorous physical activity involvement. Such results should be considered when developing and implementing strategies aimed at increasing vigorous physical activity among students.