Abstract

This study is based on previous health behavior research that states that transitions in the life course are a critical time for changes in health behaviors. The transition from high school to college represents a particularly difficult change in terms of physical activity. We studied how the type of physical activity, the social environment, and other factors effect the ability of a student to maintain a healthy level of physical activity. Methods: We randomly sampled 699 freshmen college students. The study consisted of a baseline survey asking about high school activity followed by a survey consisting of questions on collegiate activity. Our final sample size, after excluding varsity athletes, was 123 (18% or original mailing). Results: Average physical activity decreased significantly from high school to college by 3.7 hrs/wk (p<0.001). There was a significant decrease in organized activity (p<0.001), but not spontaneous activity. We found moderate correlations between total activity in high school and that in college (r=0.31) and between organized activity in high and that in college (r=0.45). There was no correlation between spontaneous activity in high school and that in college. Physical activity in college was correlated with self-efficacy (r=0.41) and motivators for activity (r=0.29). Conclusions: In the short term, increasing the amount of organized physical activity available in college may help decrease the size of the reduction in total activity upon the transition from high school to college, especially in those students accustomed to participating in organized activity. Promoting more spontaneous physical activities may help all students adapt long term healthy levels of activity. More research is needed to investigate the factors that affect spontaneous activity. Future research should continue to look at the different types of physical activity when trying to study this transition.