Citation

Sharp P, Caperchione C. J. Am. Coll. Health 2016; 64(8): 630-638.

Affiliation

School of Health and Exercise Sciences , University of British Columbia , Kelowna , Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2016.1217538

PMID

27471879

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of a 12-week pedometer-based intervention on the physical activity behavior, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and psychological well-being of first-year university students. PARTICIPANTS: First-year university students (N = 184) were recruited during September 2012 and randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group.

METHODS: Intervention participants were provided with a pedometer, monthly tracking logs, and follow-up e-mails. Control participants received no intervention. Physical activity, HRQOL, and psychological well-being were measured at baseline and post intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate/univariate analysis of variance (MANOVA/ANOVA).

RESULTS: All participants experienced an increase in mild physical activity (p <.01) from baseline to follow-up. The intervention failed to produce significant differences between groups for physical activity (p =.28), HRQOL (p =.80), or psychological well-being (p =.72). Psychological well-being (p <.001), vigorous physical activity (p =.04), and mental health status (p <.001) decreased across the duration of the study.

CONCLUSIONS: More intensive interventions may be required to elicit physical activity behavior change.

Language: en