Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Department

Health Science and Human Ecology

First Reader/Committee Chair

Malik, Neal

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) is a critical determinant of both physical and mental health, yet many individuals fail to meet recommended guidelines. College students face increasing challenges related to physical inactivity, elevated stress levels, and poor sleep quality, all of which negatively impact their overall health and academic success. College students who fail to meet recommended PA guidelines are at an increased risk of chronic diseases. This study aimed to examine patterns of PA among college students and explore associations with sleep quality and perceived stress.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed using a self-administered questionnaire that included items on exercise frequency, duration, sleep quality, use of campus health and wellness resources, and stress levels. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses, including one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation, were conducted to assess differences across demographic groups and associations among key variables, respectively.

Results: A total of 174 responses were analyzed. Results indicated that participants engaged in moderate-to-vigorous PA an average of 3.12 + 1.82 days per week, with notable variation across gender and age groups. Significant differences were observed in PA levels among gender and age categories (p < 0.05). Additionally, trends suggested significant associations between visits to the Student Recreation and Wellness Center and days per week engaging in strength training and sleep quality, although these relationships varied in strength (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of promoting regular PA as a means of improving overall health and well-being. The results may inform targeted interventions aimed at increasing exercise participation and addressing related health behaviors. However, limitations related to self-reported data and measurement constraints should be considered when interpreting the findings. Future research should utilize validated comprehensive instruments and longitudinal designs to better understand causal relationships.

Download

Included in

Diseases Commons

Share

COinS