The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45891

Jack Rutherford, PhD¹, Michael P. Savage, PhD², Derek R. Holcomb, PhD³, and Carol Schilling, MS¹. (1) Exercise and Sport Science, Eastern Kentucky University, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Moberly 223, Richmond, KY 40475, (2) Department of Kinesiology, Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect Avenue, 225 Faganel Hall, Elmhurst, IL 60126, (3) Department of Health Promotion and Administration, Eastern Kentucky University, 521 Lancaster Avenue, 423 Begley Building, Richmond, KY 40475, 859-622-1684, jack.rutherford@eku.edu

A current national trend is the discontinuance of the physical education requirement in post-secondary undergraduate education. If this is to be reversed, there needs to be demonstrated changes in the knowledge, attitudes, and interest of students and faculty toward continuing the physical activity requirement for undergraduate students. Limited evidence shows that Conceptual Fitness and Wellness courses positively affect exercise behavior among undergraduate students. The purpose of this study was to determine if a required one credit-hour Conceptual Fitness and Wellness (CPW) course taught by different instructors changed students exercise behavior as measured by the Exercise Stages of Change Questionnaire, the Exercise Processes of Change, and 7-Day Physical Activity Recall Questionnaires. A secondary purpose was to identify the Processes of Change, and thirdly, whether males and / or females differed in the degree to which they use these processes. Three hundred seventy-two undergraduate students were administered the three questionnaires before and after taking the CPW course. Analyses of variance and t-tests showed a significant decline (p=0.001) in students' sedentary exercise behavior for subjects in the contemplation stage. Further, a significant increase in students' exercise participation (p=0.006) occurred for subjects in the Action stage. Males and females both reported an increase in the number of minutes engaged in moderate physical activity. However, females used the experiential and behavioral processes to change exercise behavior more than males. The results suggest that continuing to offer Conceptual Fitness and Wellness courses in the post-secondary curriculum is critical to enhancing positive changes in students' exercise behavior.

Learning Objectives:

• To examine the effectiveness of a two credit-hour Conceptual Fitness and Wellness course regarding students activity level.
• To examine the difference between males and females regarding their utilization of the processes of change in relation to their change in activity level.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Behavioral Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.