Toth Sarah E, Highfill M Christine, Jenkins Isia K, Battle Rakiya D
Department of Health Science and Human Performance, Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, Alabama, USA.
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA.
J Am Coll Health. 2025 Aug;73(7):2781-2788. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2115843. Epub 2022 Sep 28.
To investigate exercise stages of change (SOC) and physical barriers among undergraduates at an Historically Black University (HBCU) and quantify their relationship. A total of 326 undergraduate HBCU students; 198 were females (body mass index (BMI) range 16.5-87.9; = 26.5 ± 6.8) and 127 were males (BMI range 18.0-49.3; = 26.4 ± 5.7). Students voluntarily completed a three-section survey: demographic questions, Exercise SOC, and Barriers to Being Active Quiz (BBAQ). An ANOVA determined significant differences ( < . 001) between the means for each SOC for lack of time, social influence, lack of energy, lack of willpower, and lack of skill. Significant differences ( < . 001) existed between SOC and BBAQ score, as well as number of important barriers. HBCU interventions should address time management, energy, motivation, social support, and skill development to promote exercise and reduce barriers, especially among Black women.
