College Student Physical Activity: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The purpose of this review was to systematically review the published research on the effect of physical activity (PA) interventions on PA behavior among university students. A PA intervention was defined as participants engaging in PA and measuring changes in PA from pre- to post-intervention. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were (1) published in peer-reviewed English-language journals, (2) included undergraduate university students, (3) implemented a PA intervention, and 4) assessed PA via self-report or direct measures. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in this review. PA interventions were more effective than other techniques or control settings in improving PA behavior in university student participants. The review discusses sample characteristics, study design, PA behavior measurement, PA intervention implementation, and the theoretical frameworks of the studies, along with limitations of the research and suggestions for future researchers.