Lessons from the pandemic: College students' physical activity levels, resource use, and opportunities for equitable physical activity promotion.

OBJECTIVE

Examine associations between college students' physical activity (PA) resource use and PA levels during the pandemic, identifying sociodemographic disparities in resource use.

PARTICIPANTS

Undergraduate and graduate college students.

METHODS

Data were from the COVID-19 Texas College Student Experiences Survey (n = 904). Ordinal logistic regressions examined relationships between resource use and PA levels. Logistic regressions explored resource use differences by sociodemographics.

RESULTS

Students using off-campus gyms, parks/trails, home/neighborhood, and online resources exhibited higher PA levels (p < 0.01). Males had greater off-campus gym use (vs. females; p < 0.05). Park/trail use was less likely among students with overweight/obesity (vs healthy weight; p < 0.05) and Asian or Other race (vs. White; p < 0.05). Students 45 years and older were less likely to use parks/trails, online, or home/neighborhood resources (vs. 18-25-year-olds; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher education institutions should move beyond general promotion and diversify PA resources to promote health enhancing PA among college students.