Jett Kristin M, Daniels Bryce T, Brigance Max, Passarelli Jessica L, Howie Erin K
Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Int J Exerc Sci. 2024 Aug 1;17(5):1038-1055. doi: 10.70252/ORGX1052. eCollection 2024.
Many university students, especially graduate students, are experiencing poor physical and psychological health. Thus, universities are initiating programs like Exercise is Medicine-On Campus (EIM-OC) to promote positive physical activity behavior to improve physical and mental health for primarily undergraduate university students. However, the influences on physical activity when transitioning from an undergraduate to a graduate student are unknown. To explore perceptions of if and how the physical activity levels of graduate students changed from their time as undergraduate students while considering environmental and lifestyle factors. METHODS: Using a qualitative, phenomenological research design, a convenience sample of current graduate students enrolled at a large, mid-South university completed a 20-minute interview. Questions included inquiring on current household, occupational, active transportation, leisure time, and overall physical activity during the graduate and past undergraduate programs. All interviews were transcribed, and major themes were derived using thematic analysis. Twenty-one (62% female; 52% master's students) participants completed interviews. Overall, participants perceived their physical activity decreased, including occupational, active transport, and leisure-time physical activity. Major themes discussed by participants included: increased academic and occupational responsibilities, changes in the physical and social environment, increased awareness of health and activity, and life transitions. The decline in physical activity once individuals enter their graduate program necessitates an intervention, like EIM-OC, during or after undergraduate studies to promote the initiation or continuation of regular physical activity to improve graduate students' overall health.
许多大学生，尤其是研究生，正经历着较差的身心健康状况。因此，大学正在启动诸如“校园运动即良药”（EIM-OC）这样的项目，以促进积极的体育活动行为，主要是为了改善本科大学生的身心健康。然而，从本科生过渡到研究生阶段时体育活动受到的影响尚不清楚。本研究旨在探讨研究生体育活动水平从本科阶段起是否发生了变化以及如何变化，并考虑环境和生活方式因素。方法：采用定性的现象学研究设计，对一所位于中南部的大型大学的在读研究生进行便利抽样，进行20分钟的访谈。问题包括询问当前研究生阶段及过去本科阶段的家庭情况、职业、主动出行、休闲时间和总体体育活动情况。所有访谈均进行转录，并采用主题分析法得出主要主题。21名参与者（62%为女性；52%为硕士生）完成了访谈。总体而言，参与者认为他们的体育活动减少了，包括职业、主动出行和休闲时间的体育活动。参与者讨论的主要主题包括：学术和职业责任增加、身体和社会环境变化、对健康和活动的认识提高以及生活转变。个体进入研究生阶段后体育活动的减少需要在本科学习期间或之后进行干预，如EIM-OC，以促进定期体育活动的开始或持续，从而改善研究生的整体健康状况。
