Characterization of physical activity in undergraduate students in Israel

Technological development is the main cause for reduced physical activity in populations, increasing the risk of illness and decreasing average life expectancy. A correlation exists between increased physical exercise (PE) and health improvement. The academic curriculum attributes to lack of PE due to sedentary lifestyle and inability to find free time. The purpose of this study was to characterize PE among students in relation to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and examined the correlation between activity level and grade point average (GPA). We also included an evaluation of the student's willingness to exercise as part of an elective course program.

We used a five experts validated questionnaire, distributed online. The sampling frame was undergraduate students of the Faculty of Social Welfare and Health from the University of Haifa (184 students). Statistical processing was done using SPSS software using the χ2 test and Pearson's correlation.

Of the participants 70.7% do not comply with WHO recommendations. Seventy-five percent showed willingness to perform PE if it was part of the curriculum. No significant correlations were found between PE or WHO recommendations and GPA.

This is a pioneer study among university students. Continued research is needed to characterize the PE in academic institutions.