Perceived benefits and barriers to participation in exercise among Jordanian university students

Abstract EN

Insufficient physical activity is a risk factor for many non-communicable diseases, therefore; the purpose of this study is to examine university students' perceived exercise benefits and barriers.

This cross-sectional descriptive study used Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale to examine perceived benefits and barriers to exercise among a convenience sample of 517 university students in Jordan.

Participants reported significantly higher perceived barriers to exercise than perceived benefits from exercise.

The most important perceived barrier to exercise was “I am too embarrassed to exercise” Moreover, “I will live longer if I exercise” and “exercising increases being accepted by others” were the most important perceived benefits from exercise.

Students' age was negatively correlated with perceived barriers to exercise.

Unemployed students perceived more benefits from exercise than employed students.

Physical activity promotion programs should assist university students to overcome perceived barriers, and further highlight the health benefits of exercise.