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Gender- and race-related physical activity levels of South African university students
Abstract
Physical inactivity and the resultant chronic diseases are becoming a global epidemic. This article reflects on physical activity levels of undergraduate students at a university in South Africa. Gender and race differences in relation to these levels were investigated. A self-reported measure
of physical activity suitable to facilitate cross-cultural comparisons of physical activity levels, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), was distributed to 413 third-year students at a university campus to determine the physical activity levels of students at a South African
university. An analysis of covariance was applied to check for gender and racial differences in relation to physical activity levels. Results revealed that 33% of students are inactive, irrespective of race and gender. Gender is a consistent and strong correlate of overall physical activity. Males
are highly significantly (p<0.01) more physically active than females and this difference becomes more evident in vigorous exercise. In contrast to previous studies, this research found that black students demonstrate significantly higher (p<0.05) levels of physical activity than white students
and that black males have significantly higher (p<0.05) physical activity levels than their white counterparts. White female students demonstrated the lowest physical activity (42.4%). Further research focussing on environmental determinants and the role of physical activity specialists in
higher education, as well as intervention studies rather than descriptive studies, are recommended.
of physical activity suitable to facilitate cross-cultural comparisons of physical activity levels, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), was distributed to 413 third-year students at a university campus to determine the physical activity levels of students at a South African
university. An analysis of covariance was applied to check for gender and racial differences in relation to physical activity levels. Results revealed that 33% of students are inactive, irrespective of race and gender. Gender is a consistent and strong correlate of overall physical activity. Males
are highly significantly (p<0.01) more physically active than females and this difference becomes more evident in vigorous exercise. In contrast to previous studies, this research found that black students demonstrate significantly higher (p<0.05) levels of physical activity than white students
and that black males have significantly higher (p<0.05) physical activity levels than their white counterparts. White female students demonstrated the lowest physical activity (42.4%). Further research focussing on environmental determinants and the role of physical activity specialists in
higher education, as well as intervention studies rather than descriptive studies, are recommended.
