Physical activity, leisure-time management, perceived barriers to physical activity and mental well-being among Turkish university students

Abstract This study examined the relationship between physical activity (PA) level, free time management, mental well-being, and perceptions of barriers to PA among university students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 723 Turkish university students, which included four questionnaires to...

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Main Authors: Yunus Emre Kundakcı, Sultan Karaman, Medine Sıla Ateş
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2024-11-01
Series:Discover Mental Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-024-00109-x
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author Yunus Emre Kundakcı
Sultan Karaman
Medine Sıla Ateş
author_facet Yunus Emre Kundakcı
Sultan Karaman
Medine Sıla Ateş
author_sort Yunus Emre Kundakcı
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study examined the relationship between physical activity (PA) level, free time management, mental well-being, and perceptions of barriers to PA among university students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 723 Turkish university students, which included four questionnaires to assess participants’ PA levels, conditions of mental well-being, free time management, and perceived barriers to PA. Multivariate linear regression was performed to identify factors associated with the participants’ PA level. The study found that 216 (29.9%) of participants were inactive, 325 (45%) were minimally active, and 182 (25.1%) were health-enhancing active. While 25.23% of males were inactive, 42.02% were minimally active, and 31.45% were health-enhancing active, these rates were 31.4, 45.98, and 22.62% for females, respectively. These findings highlight that 3/4 of university students have inadequate PA levels. Changes in barriers to PA (p < 0.001), free time management (p = 0.040), and mental well-being (p < 0.001) were associated with PA levels. According to the regression analysis, only increased barriers to PA was a significant predictor of PA (p < 0.001). Given the role of health science students in public health, this study could help policymakers develop new strategies to promote healthy living and address barriers to PA, such as students' free time and mental health.
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issn 2731-4383
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher Springer
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spelling doaj-art-bd5430cb9e624372980d8d3a2a73eb122024-11-17T12:12:24ZengSpringerDiscover Mental Health2731-43832024-11-014111110.1007/s44192-024-00109-xPhysical activity, leisure-time management, perceived barriers to physical activity and mental well-being among Turkish university studentsYunus Emre Kundakcı0Sultan Karaman1Medine Sıla Ateş2Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences UniversityTerapilates Sports and Wellness Centre Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Memorial HospitalAbstract This study examined the relationship between physical activity (PA) level, free time management, mental well-being, and perceptions of barriers to PA among university students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 723 Turkish university students, which included four questionnaires to assess participants’ PA levels, conditions of mental well-being, free time management, and perceived barriers to PA. Multivariate linear regression was performed to identify factors associated with the participants’ PA level. The study found that 216 (29.9%) of participants were inactive, 325 (45%) were minimally active, and 182 (25.1%) were health-enhancing active. While 25.23% of males were inactive, 42.02% were minimally active, and 31.45% were health-enhancing active, these rates were 31.4, 45.98, and 22.62% for females, respectively. These findings highlight that 3/4 of university students have inadequate PA levels. Changes in barriers to PA (p < 0.001), free time management (p = 0.040), and mental well-being (p < 0.001) were associated with PA levels. According to the regression analysis, only increased barriers to PA was a significant predictor of PA (p < 0.001). Given the role of health science students in public health, this study could help policymakers develop new strategies to promote healthy living and address barriers to PA, such as students' free time and mental health.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-024-00109-xPhysical activityLeisureMental healthUniversity students
spellingShingle Yunus Emre Kundakcı
Sultan Karaman
Medine Sıla Ateş
Physical activity, leisure-time management, perceived barriers to physical activity and mental well-being among Turkish university students
Discover Mental Health
Physical activity
Leisure
Mental health
University students
title Physical activity, leisure-time management, perceived barriers to physical activity and mental well-being among Turkish university students
title_full Physical activity, leisure-time management, perceived barriers to physical activity and mental well-being among Turkish university students
title_fullStr Physical activity, leisure-time management, perceived barriers to physical activity and mental well-being among Turkish university students
title_full_unstemmed Physical activity, leisure-time management, perceived barriers to physical activity and mental well-being among Turkish university students
title_short Physical activity, leisure-time management, perceived barriers to physical activity and mental well-being among Turkish university students
title_sort physical activity leisure time management perceived barriers to physical activity and mental well being among turkish university students
topic Physical activity
Leisure
Mental health
University students
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-024-00109-x
work_keys_str_mv AT yunusemrekundakcı physicalactivityleisuretimemanagementperceivedbarrierstophysicalactivityandmentalwellbeingamongturkishuniversitystudents
AT sultankaraman physicalactivityleisuretimemanagementperceivedbarrierstophysicalactivityandmentalwellbeingamongturkishuniversitystudents
AT medinesılaates physicalactivityleisuretimemanagementperceivedbarrierstophysicalactivityandmentalwellbeingamongturkishuniversitystudents