Work

Lessons from the pandemic: College students’ physical activity levels, resource use, and opportunities for equitable physical activity promotion

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective Examine associations between college students’ physical activity (PA) resource use and PA levels during the pandemic, identifying sociodemographic disparities in resource use.Participants Undergraduate and graduate college students.Methods Data were from the COVID-19 Texas College Student Experiences Survey (n = 904). Ordinal logistic regressions examined relationships between resource use and PA levels. Logistic regressions explored resource use differences by sociodemographics.Results Students using off-campus gyms, parks/trails, home/neighborhood, and online resources exhibited higher PA levels (p < 0.01). Males had greater off-campus gym use (vs. females; p < 0.05). Park/trail use was less likely among students with overweight/obesity (vs healthy weight; p < 0.05) and Asian or Other race (vs. White; p < 0.05). Students 45 years and older were less likely to use parks/trails, online, or home/neighborhood resources (vs. 18–25-year-olds; p < 0.05).Conclusions Higher education institutions should move beyond general promotion and diversify PA resources to promote health enhancing PA among college students.

Source: Journal of American College Health

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2026.2616512

Authors: V. L. Errisuriz, Natalie M. Yarish, R. Patel, B. Anderson, S. L. Howard

Institutions: Santa Clara University, The University of Texas at Austin, Old Dominion University

Language: English

Topic: Physical Activity and Health

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute