Exercise Is Medicine-On Campus® and Contemporary Physical Activity Measurement in College Students

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McAvoy, C. (2023). Exercise Is Medicine-On Campus® and Contemporary Physical Activity Measurement in College Students. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

The benefits of regular physical activity (PA) for lifelong health are abundant. However, college students are at risk for a decline in PA levels during a transformational life-course period, where long-lasting health behaviors often form. One evidence-based program combatting physical inactivity is the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) campaign by the American College of Sports Medicine, which leverages campus resources (e.g., healthcare professionals, recreation centers, specialized professionals) to promote PA. This mixed-methods dissertation includes three studies investigating PA in the college student population from different socioecological levels, including the lens of EIM-OC. Study one is a secondary analysis of American College Health Association–National College Health Assessment data from Fall 2019, comparing students’ achievement of federal PA guidelines at EIM-OC-recognized universities (n = 5 campuses; 5,676 students) to non-recognized-universities (n = 36 campuses; 32,422 students). Study two incorporates a basic qualitative design with 11 interviews of PA practitioners working on EIM-OC Leadership Teams. Study three reviewed literature with concurrent subjective and objective PA measurement in college students to consolidate study characteristics, measurement tools, the inclusion of PA dimensions and domains, use of theory, and suggested future directions. Altogether, findings indicate that multilevel programs, such as EIM-OC, can be helpful intervention avenues to increase PA in college students. However, additional resources are necessary for the expanded implementation and improved research on this topic. Results herein can inform future EIM-OC research and intervention efforts, ultimately enhancing student health and success during college and beyond.

Details
Author

McAvoy, Cayla

Title

Exercise Is Medicine-On Campus® and Contemporary Physical Activity Measurement in College Students

Physical Description

1 online resource (107 pages) : PDF

Date

2023

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

The benefits of regular physical activity (PA) for lifelong health are abundant. However, college students are at risk for a decline in PA levels during a transformational life-course period, where long-lasting health behaviors often form. One evidence-based program combatting physical inactivity is the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) campaign by the American College of Sports Medicine, which leverages campus resources (e.g., healthcare professionals, recreation centers, specialized professionals) to promote PA. This mixed-methods dissertation includes three studies investigating PA in the college student population from different socioecological levels, including the lens of EIM-OC. Study one is a secondary analysis of American College Health Association–National College Health Assessment data from Fall 2019, comparing students’ achievement of federal PA guidelines at EIM-OC-recognized universities (n = 5 campuses; 5,676 students) to non-recognized-universities (n = 36 campuses; 32,422 students). Study two incorporates a basic qualitative design with 11 interviews of PA practitioners working on EIM-OC Leadership Teams. Study three reviewed literature with concurrent subjective and objective PA measurement in college students to consolidate study characteristics, measurement tools, the inclusion of PA dimensions and domains, use of theory, and suggested future directions. Altogether, findings indicate that multilevel programs, such as EIM-OC, can be helpful intervention avenues to increase PA in college students. However, additional resources are necessary for the expanded implementation and improved research on this topic. Results herein can inform future EIM-OC research and intervention efforts, ultimately enhancing student health and success during college and beyond.

Genre

doctoral dissertations

Subjects--Topics

Public health
Kinesiology

Degree

Ph.D.

Keywords

College Students
Exercise
Physical Activity
University

Subject Area

Public Health

Advisor(s)

Huber, Larissa
Dahl, Alicia

Committee Members

Bauer, Patti
Lim, Jae Hoon

Degree Note

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2023.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

McAvoy_uncc_0694D_13401

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:3307