Mohammad Bashaar
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
Title: Barriers towards physical activity among students enrolled in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Biography
Biography: Mohammad Bashaar
Abstract
Objective- To explore the barriers and factors that affect the physical activity and to find solutions in order to minimize identified barriers. Methods- A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed and carried out by using pre-validated questionnaire. The questionnaires were distributed equally among students from eight different schools in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) (n = 480). The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Descriptive statistics (Frequencies and Percentages), the chi-square test and the Cramer’s V test were applied to evaluate any possible association between barriers towards physical activity among students and the demographic data. Results- Findings highlight that more than half of the respondents, 54.0% agree that they are thinking of having physical activity but they just failed to get started exercising. Meanwhile, 55.4% of the total sample shown their disagreement, that they did not have an access in university to proper facilities such as swimming pool, jogging trails, bike paths for physical activity. Interestingly, more than half of the students 54% have been thinking about getting more exercise but they just cannot seem to get started. In contrast, 50.4% asserted that they do not get enough exercise because they have never learned the skills for any sport. Conclusion- Overall, it is not easy to quantify physical activity, however it can be concluded that, among the Universiti Sains Malaysia students, internal barriers prevail over the external ones. A well-organized and systematic approach for the promotion of physical activity requires for university students in order to stay healthier