International Journal of Sport, Exercise and Health Research 2020; 4(1): 26-30 DOI:10.31254/sportmed.4107
Physical activity level and participation in strength training (ST) activities among undergraduate female students
Thilini Thakshila Ranaweera1 , Desha Rajni Fernando2 , Yamuna Deepani Siriwardana3
1. Hope Rehabilitation Center, No 06, Mallikarama Road, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka
2. Diabetes Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, No:25, Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka
3. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, P.O. Box 271, Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 6th April, 2020 / Accepted: 6th June, 2020
Background: Insufficient physical activity has been identified as a leading risk factor for Non-Communicable Diseases and global mortality. Healthy adults should be involved in Strength Training (ST) activities to be in Health Enhancing Physical Activities (HEPA) level. Undergraduates are physically fit and in finest age to understand importance of physical activities. However, most of undergraduates in worldwide were found to be inactive and highest were women. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the physical activity level, participation in ST activities and perceived benefits and barriers for ST activities among female undergraduates. Methodology: Two hundred female undergraduates of Faculty of Science, University of Colombo were randomly selected to conduct this descriptive cross-sectional study. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Physical activity level was assessed by the first part of the questionnaire. Section one of the second part of the questionnaire focused on individual perception of benefits and barriers to ST activities while section two was used to determine barrier scores. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 21.0. Results: The mean age of the participants was 22.66. Majority (63.0%; n= 121) was physically inactive, 33.3% (n=64) were minimally active and only 3.6% (n=7) were in HEPA category. Fifty one participants (26.6%) showed zero MET min/week for walking, 64 participants (33.3%) for moderate activities and more than half (68.8%; n=132) for vigorous activities. Majority (89.1%; n= 171) were not ST participants and 87.5% (n= 168) perceived ST as an important activity. Health benefits were perceived as the most important benefit of ST by 44.8% (n=86). Lack of time was the mostly (30.7%; n=59) perceived restricting barrier for ST activities. Barrier scores were different in at least one physical activity level (p< 0.01). Conclusion: These undergraduates appeared to be having a sedentary life style. Improved awareness on importance of ST and HEPA and time management skills will increase participation in ST which results increase the physical level of undergraduates.
physical activity, strength training, barriers to strength training, exercise
