The relationship between physical activity and efficacy levels of university students

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Physical activity encompasses a range of behaviors across different domains. A critical aspect is the correlation between the frequency of physical activity and perceived competence in these activities. This study aims to explore the relationship between the levels of physical activity and the self-assessed proficiency in physical activities among university students who opt for health-related elective courses. Material and Methods. This study involved 88 university students enrolled in health-related elective courses, including Spinal Health (SH), Posture Disorder (PD), and Physical Activity in Health Promotion (PAHP). Data collection was conducted using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Physical Activity Efficacy Scale (PAES) surveys. For data analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey test, a Post-hoc multiple comparison method, were employed. Results. The study revealed a weak negative correlation between IPAQ-SF and PAES scores. This indicates that as self-confidence and sense of competence increased, the level of physical activity decreased (p<0.05). Participants in the PAHP course exhibited higher levels of physical activity, as reflected in their PAES scores, compared to those enrolled in the SH course (p<0.05). Despite having a lower average income, students in the PAHP course demonstrated higher physical activity levels than those in other courses. Conclusions. The study demonstrated that as levels of physical activity efficacy increase, actual physical activity levels decrease, and vice versa. Furthermore, students enrolled in PAHP courses exhibited improved physical activity scores compared to those in other courses. It was also concluded that the income level of students does not significantly impact their level of physical activity.