Involvement and Strategies to Increase Physical Activities Among Art Education Students in UiTM

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to describe the level of involvement in physical activity (PA) among art education major in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). Additionally, this study was also keen to identify current perceptions and potential strategies to encourage students’ future participation in PA. This study adopted the mixed-method research design comprising both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Participants consisted of 30 final year students from art major (AD) students ages between 24 to 26 years (5 male, 25 female). The PA involvement was assessed using modified International Physical Activities Questionnaire (IPAQ). The qualitative data were gathered via interview protocols to identified perceptions and strategies to support student involvement in PA. Data analysis were conducted with SPSS (version 26.0) using a test such as descriptive statistics (e.g., means, standard deviation, percentage). Majority of the final year art and design education undergraduate students are active. All the participants were also aware of the importance of PA towards health condition, ideal body shaped and keeping fit. In term of strategies, many participants believe the faculty or university was responsible for organising various events to encourage them into higher engagement in PA. In addition, most of the participants also involve in either vigorous or moderate intensities PA each week with 66.7% and 46.7% respectively. This study believes individual involvement in physical activities is a long-term process and requires commitment. Only those teachers with high-level of knowledge, understanding and motivation can make changes to the students' perceptions and behaviour towards physical activities.