International Journal of Health Sciences

Determining the Relationship between Self-Efficacy and Exercise Frequency among University Students
Laura Brown, Todd Sherman

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine what effect, if any, frequency of exercise had on self-efficacy and fitness levels over a fifteen-week period. Participants included 75 female students enrolled in aerobics classes at a rural university. The study consisted of pre- and post-testing of a self-efficacy instrument, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and body fat. Between groups repeated measure analysis of variance indicated a nonsignificant difference between pre- and post-test exercise self-efficacy between classes that met two days per week and classes that met three days per week. Results also indicated a nonsignificant difference between pre- and post-test fitness tests for 1.5-mile run, push-ups, curl-up, and body fat. However, there was a statistically significant difference in pre- and post-test stretch between the two groups. Overall results indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in fitness levels and frequency of exercise between the two groups in four out of five tests. Although differences were not seen in fitness between two days and three days a week, the study does support that exercise alone can help with self-efficacy and overall well-being of college students. The results of this study may be beneficial to college campus efforts in supporting and maintaining a healthy campus and well-being of their students.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijhs.v5n1a3