PREVALENCE AND BARRIERS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF UNDERGRADUATE PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS AT UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY IN SAUDI ARABIA

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of physical activity (PA) and barriers to PA of undergraduate physiotherapy students at Umm Al-Qura university in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Data were collected from undergraduate physical therapy students at Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia. The cross-sectional study used the well-known self-administeredInternational Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to measure the amount and intensity of PA an individual participates in per week, which was statistically analyzed with SPSS into low, moderate and high physical activity. In addition, a pre-designed survey was used to assess the barriers to PA and categorized according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW). Results: Two hundred undergraduate students were enrolled in the study, from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th college year. The results showed that physical activity level was high 38%, and moderate 40% among physiotherapy students. In addition, 56% were having a healthy BMI, and only 21% were overweight. The most reported barriers were the bad weather, lack of time, lack female gyms and not being a lifestyle. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that undergraduate students are aware of the importance of physical activity as most of the studied participants were high to moderately active. Whereas the reported barriers could be used for future interventions to promote PA of college students.