Analysis of Factors Influencing the Development of Physical Exercise Habits Among Chinese University Students
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study aimed to 1) develop an initial theoretical model identifying factors that influence the development of physical activity habits among university students in Shenyang City using the Delphi method and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP); 2) validate and refine this model through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to enhance its fit and applicability; and 3) examine the differential impact of gender and age on physical activity habits. A cross-sectional design was employed, targeting 426 university students aged 18-25 in Shenyang City, People's Republic of China. The sample size was calculated using Taro Yamane’s formula. The study incorporated multiple research methods, including literature analysis, questionnaire surveys, expert interviews, and statistical analysis.
Key findings were as follows: 1. Status Investigation: The overall level of physical activity habits among university students was low. Male students demonstrated significantly higher levels of physical activity than female students (p < 0.05). 2. Factor Identification: Four key domains influencing physical activity habits were identified: environmental (e.g., school facilities), individual (e.g., self-efficacy), social (e.g., peer support), and family (e.g., economic status). 3. Model Validation: The theoretical model was confirmed through regression analysis and the analytic Hierarchy Process. Key influencing factors were validated, providing a structured foundation for targeted interventions.
This study contributes to the existing literature by introducing and validating a comprehensive theoretical model for understanding physical activity habits among university students. The findings underscore the importance of multi-dimensional support-including improvements in school infrastructure, enhanced physical education programs, self-efficacy training, and family involvement-in fostering long-term physical activity habits and overall student well-being.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Views and opinions appearing in the Journal it is the responsibility of the author of the article, and does not constitute the view and responsibility of the editorial team.
References
Avraham, R., Simon-Tuval, T., & Van Dijk, D. (2024). Determinants of physical activity habit formation: A theory-based qualitative study among young adults. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 19(1), 24-36. https://doi.org/10.1080/
2024.2341984
Dumith, S. C., Gigante, D. P., Domingues, M. R., & Kohl, H. W. (2011). Physical activity change during adolescence: A systematic review and a pooled analysis. International Journal of Epidemiology, 40(3), 685–698. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyq272
Feil, K., Allion, S., Weyland, S., & Jekauc, D. (2021). A systematic review examining the relationship between habit and physical activity behavior in longitudinal studies. Frontiers in Psychology, 12(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.626750
Feng, B. (2024). Exploration on how integration degree into sport apps affects users’ attitude and behavioral habit towards physical exercise. Revista de Psicología del Deporte / Journal of Sport Psychology, 33(2), 14–23.
Hu, X., & Phucharoen, T. (2024). Perspective physical exercise of students’ health and fitness in Xi’an physical education university. International Journal of Sociologies and Anthropologies Science Reviews, 4(3), 155–162. https://doi.org/10.60027/ijsasr.2024.4059
Kang, J., Me, R. C., & Kamarudin, K. M. (2024). A healthy lifestyle persuasive design model based on behavioral analysis. Learning and Motivation, 87(8), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2024.102021
Li, X., Cui, L., Shen, Q. Q., Luo, R., & Liu, M. (2024). Relationship between Chinese college students’ attitude to physical exercise and psychological capital: The mediating effects of self-control and gender. Frontiers in Public Health, 12(11), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3389/
fpubh.2024.1443489
Liang, S., & Tasnaina, N. (2024). Development of strategies to improve sports performance to meet the demand of senior high school entrance examination. International Journal of Sociologies and Anthropologies Science Reviews, 4(6), 47–54. https://doi.org/10.60027/
ijsasr.2024.4719
Martina, R., Elena, E., Benedetta, T., Maria, B., Laura, S., Loira, T., & Pietro, A. M. (2020). Gender differences in barriers to physical activity among adolescents. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 30(9), 1582–1589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2020.05.005
Smith, B. E., Medley, B., Fettweis, X., Sutterley, T., Alexander, P., Porter, D., & Tedesco, M. (2023). Evaluating Greenland surface-mass-balance and firn-densification data using ICESat-2 altimetry. The Cryosphere, 17(2), 789–808. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-789-2023
The National Student Physical Health Test. (2023). The national student physical health test report. The National Student Physical Health Test.
Zhang, J., Tang, Y., Chen, P., Liu, Y., Cao, Z., Hu, Y., Zhu, Z., & Zhuang, J. (2017). The report card of Chinese city children and youth physical activity based on AHKGA—Take Shanghai as an example. China Sport Science, 37(1), 14–27. https://doi.org/10.16469
Zhang, X. L., & Wang, H. (2022). Characteristics, problems, and policy suggestions of China’s recent industrial chain transfer to Vietnam. Development Research, 39(12), 40–44.
Zhao, Y. (2023). Physical activity promotion in Chinese higher education: Challenges and strategies. Journal of Health and Education Research, 35(2), 101–115.
