Determinants of Physical Activity among Jordanian University Students

Authors

  • khaldoun Hamdan, PhD, RN Assistant Professor, Al-Ahliyya Amman University
  • Abeer Shaheen, PhD, RN Associate professor, school of nursing, The University of Jordan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22158/rhs.v4n3p191

Abstract

Study Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine the relationships between university students’ physical activity, self-efficacy and perceived benefits and barriers to exercise, and to identify predictors of physical activity among university students.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in this study. A translated version of Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale and Exercise Self-efficacy Scale were used to collect study data. A convenience sample of 517 university students participated in the study. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results: Exercise self-efficacy demonstrated the highest positive correlation with physical activity (r=0.31, p<0.001) followed by exercise benefits (r=0.24, p<0.001). Exercise barriers were negatively correlated with physical activity. Exercise self-efficacy and exercise benefits significantly predicted physical activity among university students.

Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that exercise self-efficacy and perceived benefits of exercise affect university students’ participation in physical activity.

Author Biographies

khaldoun Hamdan, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Al-Ahliyya Amman University

Khaldoun Mohammad Hamdan is assistant professor at Al Ahliyya Amman University. He completed his doctoral and master’s degrees at the University of Jordan and his undergraduate degree at Jordan University of Science and Technology. His main research interests are directed towards adult health, critical care, pain, and end-of-life care.

Abeer Shaheen, PhD, RN, Associate professor, school of nursing, The University of Jordan

Abeer Mohammed Shaheen is assistant professor at the University of Jordan. She has undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Jordan. She had several publications in the fields of health promotion, school health, adolescents’ health. She is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International organization for Nursing/Jordanian Chapter.

Published

2019-06-19

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 3 (2019)

Section

Articles