Individual versus group exercise effect on youth physical activity levels: a randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Exercise Science
• Public Health
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• University students often face challenges in maintaining adequate physical activity levels.
• Understanding the impact of different exercise modalities is crucial for designing effective health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of group-based exercise versus individual exercise on physical activity (PA) in Croatian university students.
• To investigate the impact on various types of physical activity and sedentary behavior.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 976 university students (aged 19-20).
• Participants were assigned to either a group exercise intervention or an individual exercise control group.
• Pre- and post-intervention assessments included health, psychological, nutritional, and PA measures.

Main Results:

• Group exercise significantly increased total PA by over 10 METS-hours/week compared to individual exercise.
• The intervention showed a greater effect on vigorous activity than walking; moderate activity changes were not significant.
• Group exercise also effectively reduced sedentary hours and demonstrated heterogeneous treatment effects.

Conclusions:

• Group-based exercise is a more effective strategy for increasing overall physical activity and reducing sedentary time in university students.
• Leveraging social capital within educational settings can be a valuable approach for youth health promotion.