Citation

Reed J, Ainsworth BE. J. Am. Coll. Health 2007; 56(2): 199-204.

Affiliation

Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613, USA. julian.reed@furman.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3200/JACH.56.2.199-208

PMID

17967768

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine perception differences between genders of university sidewalks and safety from crime on the physical activity (PA) behaviors of undergraduate students. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred and sixty undergraduate students participated in this study. METHODS: The authors derived questions from the South Carolina Environmental Supports for Physical Activity Questionnaire (SCESPAQ) and National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRS) PA module. RESULTS: The authors found a significant mean difference between genders for the Moderate Intensity Item (eg, walking and biking) and the Flexibility Item, t(558)=3.602, p=.001, and t(558)=1.946, p=.050, respectively. Of participants surveyed, 30% of women perceived this campus to be extremely safe compared with 49% of men, t(558)=4.240, p=.001. Gender and the perceptions of sidewalk presence were significantly related (p<.05) to respondents' walking or bicycling patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions of sidewalks and safety from crime on this university campus were related to students' PA behaviors.

Language: en