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ERIC Number: ED553463
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 158
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-3030-8881-0
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Impact of Postsecondary Fitness and Wellness Courses on Physical Activity Behaviors
Ellis, Joshua Charles
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Walden University
Regular physical activity contributes to decreasing health risk factors. With the intent of establishing long-term behavioral changes that attribute to overall physical wellbeing, many U.S. universities offer fitness and wellness courses. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a postsecondary fitness and wellness course on physical activity behaviors. Based on a socioecological model, a quantitative, cross-sectional, web-based survey study design using questions from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System was used. A convenience sampling strategy was used in the recruitment of the study population (N = 351) using the social network Facebook and an online university's virtual bulletin board. A logistic regression model was used to test the hypotheses that individuals who had completed a postsecondary fitness and wellness course would be more likely than those who had not completed such a course to engage in the recommended weekly levels of moderate, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. According to study results, a significant (p = 0.05) correlation between course completion and adequate weekly vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity existed (OR = 1.643, CI [1.017, 2.654], p = 0.042, OR = 1.738, CI [1.069, 2.828], p = 0.026). Marginal significance existed for moderate physical activity (OR = 1.546, CI [.965, 2.477], p = 0.070). This study leads to positive social change by providing university administrators, educators, and public health professional's information regarding the association between a postsecondary fitness and wellness course and an individual's physical activity behaviors, and could further the efforts to increase physical activity through education. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Postsecondary Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A