The physical activity levels of students at a University of Technology in South Africa
Date
2021-05-27
Authors
Hewer, Gareth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Introduction
Physical activity (PA) has been shown to play an important role in an individuals’
health. Physically active individuals have a lower risk of acquiring chronic health
diseases such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and
hypertension. Physical activity is a compulsory component of the school
curriculum in South Africa (SA), incorporated into the subject “Life Orientation”.
However, in tertiary institutions PA is not included within the university curriculum
and is only available as an additional extramural activity that not many students
utilise. PA levels have been shown to decline with age in adulthood. University
students are mostly young adults and it has been shown that individuals who
practice healthy lifestyles when they are younger are more likely to continue those
practices when they get older. Consequently, ensuring habitual PA during
university years is an important and useful consideration. Knowing the physical
activity levels of students provides a useful basis for intervention in this regard.
Aim
To compare self-reported and objectively measured physical activity patterns of
students at the Durban University of Technology.
Methodology
This study used a cross sectional design, in a quantitative paradigm. The study
was conducted among students at the Durban University of Technology from
March 2019 to September 2019. The study was divided into two components. In
the first, participants (n= 430) were randomly selected to complete the
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to ascertain their self-reported
PA levels. The second part of the study involved objectively measuring the PA
levels by wearing a pedometer for a period of at least seven days to determine the
number of steps taken. The study further involved an aerobic fitness assessment
using the Harvard step test and the recording of anthropometric measures such as
body mass index, waist to hip ratio and body fat percentage. As only 60
participants were required for this aspect of the study, those who completed the questionnaire were invited to participate in this aspect and sampling continued
until a total of 60 participants was reached.
Descriptive statistics used for calculation in the study included means, standard
deviations, medians and range. The relationships between variables were
determined by using statistical tests such as chi-squared tests, post hoc tests and
Pearsons’ correlation test where a p value less than 0.05 was considered
significant.
Results
Of the 430 questionnaires that were distributed, a total of 394 completed
questionnaires were received, yielding a response rate of 91.6%. The mean age of
the respondents was 21.7 ± 4 years with an even spread between gender. Most
respondents were Black African (76.6%). Questionnaire data showed that most
students (76.6%) reported a high level of PA. Pedometer and aerobic fitness
assessment results showed that most students were either only moderately active
or sedentary. It was also shown that males reported higher levels of PA in the
questionnaire and had higher levels of ambulatory PA (p=0.038) and aerobic
fitness (p=0.331) compared to females. In addition, males (17.9%) had a lower
prevalence of obesity compared to females (47.6%; p<0.001).
Conclusion
Self-reported PA levels appear to be over-estimated when compared to the more
objective estimates obtained through the pedometer wear and aerobic fitness
assessment in the study population. More than recommending the need
interventions to increase PA in university students, the need to exercise caution in
the use of self-reported measures as an absolute estimate of PA is noted.
Adjusting such data through more objective measures in sub-samples may be a
useful approach towards cost-effective approaches for gathering data.
Description
Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters’ degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2020.
Keywords
Physical activity levels, Students, University of Technology
Citation
DOI
https://doi.org/10.51415/10321/3996