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Strategies and Best Practices That Enhance the Physical Activity Levels of Undergraduate University Students: A Systematic Review

Author

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  • Chanté Johannes

    (Department of Sports, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa)

  • Nicolette V. Roman

    (Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Families, and Society, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa)

  • Sunday O. Onagbiye

    (Department of Sports, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
    Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Frederick Community College, Frederick, MD 21701, USA)

  • Simone Titus

    (Department of Sports, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
    Centre for Health Professions Education, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7505, South Africa)

  • Lloyd L. Leach

    (Department of Sports, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa)

Abstract

Significant numbers of undergraduate university students are not meeting the physical activity guidelines recommended by the World Health Organisation. These guidelines suggest that university students should aim for 150–300 min of moderate or 75–150 min of vigorous physical activity. Strategic interventions need to be implemented to address this global public health concern. The aim of this study was to review the strategies and best practices to enhance the physical activity levels of undergraduate university students. Utilising the PRISMA guidelines, electronic databases—PubMed, Science Direct, Academic Search Complete, ERIC, Web of Science, CINAHL, SAGE, and SPORTDiscus—were searched between September 2022 and February 2023 using terms and synonyms related to physical activity, strategies, best practices, and undergraduate university students. Studies were critically assessed for their quality using an adapted version of the CASP and RE-AIM frameworks. Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria for the review. The studies reported the use of social media platforms, mobile phone applications, web-based technology, online text messages, in-person classes, and an “exergame” as methods to increase engagement in physical activity. Findings from this review indicated that validated questionnaires emerged as the predominant measurement tool. Furthermore, the frequent use of social network sites served as a best practice for implementing and promoting physical activity interventions. It is recommended that universities promote health-enhancing physical activities based on current trends and strategies, such as technology-based interventions and the use of social media, that are relevant to contemporary university students.

Suggested Citation

  • Chanté Johannes & Nicolette V. Roman & Sunday O. Onagbiye & Simone Titus & Lloyd L. Leach, 2024. "Strategies and Best Practices That Enhance the Physical Activity Levels of Undergraduate University Students: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-22, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:2:p:173-:d:1331808
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Glasgow, R.E. & Vogt, T.M. & Boles, S.M., 1999. "Evaluating the public health impact of health promotion interventions: The RE-AIM framework," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 89(9), pages 1322-1327.
    2. Conn, V.S. & Hafdahl, A.R. & Mehr, D.R., 2011. "Interventions to increase physical activity among healthy adults: meta-analysis of outcomes," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(4), pages 751-758.
    3. Nicola W. Burton & Bonnie L. Barber & Asaduzzaman Khan, 2021. "A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Enablers of Physical Activity among Female Emirati University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-13, March.
    4. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    5. David García-Álvarez & Raquel Faubel, 2020. "Strategies and Measurement Tools in Physical Activity Promotion Interventions in the University Setting: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-15, September.
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    1. Chanté Johannes & Nicolette V. Roman & Sunday O. Onagbiye & Simone Titus & Lloyd L. Leach, 2024. "Consensus in Action: Context-Specific Physical Activity Guidelines for Undergraduate Students at a South African University," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(12), pages 1-22, December.

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