Main Article Content

Keano P. Ananayo
National University, Philippines
Philippines
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4353-7890
Virchel Joy D. Gonzales
Benguet State University
Philippines
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5832-8087
Rhene A. Camarador
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Philippines
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4346-561X
Vol. 12 No. 1 (2026), Original papers, pages 1-26

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17979/sportis.2026.12.1.12452
Submitted: 2025-07-15 Published: 2026-01-01
Copyright How to Cite

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of demographic factors on college students’ perceived barriers to physical activity participation across seven key domains: lack of time, influence from others, lack of energy, lack of willpower, fear of injury, lack of skill, and lack of resources. Utilizing a cross-sectional design and binary logistic regression analysis, the study surveyed college students to determine which demographic variables significantly predict physical activity constraints. The results revealed that gender identity, academic year level, field of study, and socio-economic status significantly influenced specific barrier domains. Female students were more likely to report psychological and skill-related barriers, while STEM students demonstrated higher odds of perceiving time and resource constraints compared to their HUMSS counterparts. Additionally, senior and middle-income students perceived fewer barriers, reflecting how maturity and economic factors shape physical activity participation. The findings emphasize the need for inclusive, targeted strategies in university settings that address group-specific challenges to promote equitable access to physical activity. These insights offer valuable implications for physical education programs, wellness interventions, and campus health policy design.

Article Details

References

Al-Fahhad, N., Alotaibi, R. A., Alhammad, R., Alhammad, A., Altwaijry, R., Alhammad, R., & Alzaydi, M. (2024). Barriers to physical activity to be maintained in children and adolescents: a worldwide systematic review study. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 1. https://doi.org/10.24911/ijmdc.51-1734276052

Annear, M. J. (2022). Sedentary Behavior and Physical Inactivity in the Asia-Pacific Region: Current Challenges and Emerging Concerns. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15), 9351. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159351

Arazi, H., Izadi, M., & Kabirian, H. (2022). Interactive effect of socio-eco-demographic characteristics and perceived physical activity barriers on physical activity level among older adults. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-022-00288-y

Biddle, S. J. H., Fox, K. R., & Boutcher, S. H. (2021). Physical activity and psychological well-being. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203468326

Blackwell, J. (2023). Career Technical Education: A Perfectly Valid Alternative. Journal of Student Research. https://doi.org/10.47611/jsr.v12i3.1957

Bobo-Arce, M., Saavedra-García, M., & Montero-Ordóñez, L. F. (2024). Análisis de las barreras percibidas para la actividad física en universitarios ecuatorianos: comparación por sexo. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v55.105607

Carlos, B. C., Khidkikar, M., Eckart, A., Bhochhibhoya, A., & Sharma Ghimire, P. (2023). Sex differences between physical activity and perceived barriers among college students: A cross-sectional study. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 55(9S), 600–601. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000985412.93130.af

Chihuailaf-Vera, M. L., Flores Ferro, E., Maureira Cid, F., & Gamboa Jiménez, R. (2023). Estereotipos de género en la práctica de ejercicio físico y deporte en estudiantes universitarios de la carrera de Pedagogía en Educación Física en Chile (Gender stereotypes in the practice of physical exercise and sport in university students of Physical Education Pedagogy in Chile). Retos: Nuevas Tendencias En Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación, 52, 13–22. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v52.101489

Cromwell, O. (2023). Physical activity: Beneficial effects (pp. 352–361). Elsevier eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-821848-8.00002-0

Cruz, C. B., Khidkikar, M., Eckart, A., Bhochhibhoya, A., & Ghimire, P. S. (2023). Sex Differences Between Physical Activity And Perceived Barriers Among College Students: A Cross-sectional Study. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 55(9S), 600–601. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000985412.93130.af

Delfa-de-la-Morena, J. M., Bores-García, D., Solera-Alfonso, A., & Romero-Parra, N. (2022). Barriers to Physical Activity in Spanish Children and Adolescents: Sex and Educational Stage Differences. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.910930

Deng, Y. (2023). Influence of Gender Stereotype on Participation in Physical Education Class of High School Students. Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, 8, 600–606. https://doi.org/10.54097/ehss.v8i.4315

Frederick, G. M., Bub, K. L., & Evans, E. M. (2022). Perceived Benefits and Barriers to Physical Activity among LGBTQ+ College Students. Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, 7. https://doi.org/10.1249/TJX.0000000000000216

Garcia, G. L., Moral, M., Rocete, A. R., Ilagan, M., Cabido, J. C., Escueta, H. G., Novilla, K. J., & Retone, L. E. (2023). Influence of Social Pressures on the Academic Performance of HUMSS Students at NU-Nazareth. https://doi.org/10.56916/ejip.v3i1.496

Gualdi-Russo, E., & Zaccagni, L. (2021). Physical Activity for Health and Wellness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(15), 7823. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH18157823

Jones, M., Bright, P., Hansen, L., Ihnatsenka, O., & Carek, P. J. (2021). Promoting Physical Activity in a Primary Care Practice: Overcoming the Barriers. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 15(2), 158–164. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827619867693

Judah, G., Dilib, F., Darzi, A., & Huf, S. (2022). A population survey on beliefs around cervical cancer screening: determining the barriers and facilitators associated with attendance. BMC Cancer, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-022-09529-w

Li, C. (2024). Socioeconomic Status and Physical Fitness Levels among University Students. International Journal of Social Science and Human Research, 07(10). https://doi.org/10.47191/ijsshr/v7-i10-99

Liu, R., & Endozo, A. N. (2025). Overcoming Obstacles: a Literature Review on Barriers to Physical Activity Participation among University Students in Selected Universities in Zhengzhou, China. International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i01.34746

Martínez-Sánchez, S. M., Martínez-Sánchez, L. M., & Martínez-García, C. (2024). Gender differences in barriers to physical exercise among university students studying physical activity and sports sciences. Health Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/00178969231226383

Pardo, M., Tordecilla, A., Meneses Echavez, J. F., & Vélez, R. (2021). An exploratory study of perceived barriers to physical activity among university students. https://repository.usta.edu.co/handle/11634/34354

Pérez-Enseñat, A., & Moya-Mata, I. (2020). Diversidad en la identidad y expresión de género en Educación Física: Una revisión de la literatura (Diversity in gender identity and expression in Physical Education. A review of the literature). 38(38), 818–823. https://doi.org/10.47197/RETOS.V38I38.54076

Puen, D., Cobar, A., Dimarucot, H., & Camarador, R. (2021). Perceived barriers to physical activity of college students in Manila, Philippines during the COVID-19 community quarantine: An online survey. Sport Mont, 19(2), 79–84. https://doi.org/10.26773/smj.210617

Rodriguez-Ayllon, M., Estévez-López, F., Muñoz, N. E., Mora-Gonzalez, J., Migueles, J. H., Molina-García, P., ... & Esteban-Cornejo, I. (2019). Role of physical activity and sedentary behavior in the mental health of preschoolers, children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 49, 1383–1410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01099-5

Romero, M., Juola, J. F., Casadevante, C., Hernandez, J. M., & Santacreu, J. (2021). Are Mastery-Oriented College Students Better Time Managers? 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/S43076-021-00096-W

Salmi, L., Hasanen, E., Simula, M., Virmasalo, I., & Muukkonen, P. (2023). Perceived barriers to physical activity in the social spaces of low socioeconomic status suburbs. Wellbeing, Space and Society, 5, 100164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2023.100164

Shaw, I., Mathunjwa, M. L., & Shaw, B. S. (2023). Physical Activity and Health Promotion: A Public Health Imperative. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.111927

Silva, R., Mendonça, C., Azevedo, V., Memon, A., Noll, P., & Noll, M. (2022). Barriers to high school and university students’ physical activity: A systematic review. PLOS ONE, 17(3), e0265913. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265913

Van Hoomissen, J. D., & Downs, A. (2021). Physical Activity as an Integral Part of Overall Wellness in the College/Emerging-Adult Population (pp. 109–121). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60043-3_9

Yen, P. H., Nhung, N. T. N., & Le, T. T. (2024). Impact of Time in College on Learner Autonomy: A Comparative Study on English-Major Students with Different Academic Years. International Journal of Instruction. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2024.17124a

Wargama, I. M. D. S., Rahayu, T., Priyono, B., Mukarromah, S. B., Pramono, H., Setyawati, H., Syamsudin, S., & Suryadi, D. (2024). What is the relationship between socioeconomics and physical activity? Literature review. Retos: Nuevas Tendencias En Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación, 61, 148–155. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v61.109628

Wilson, O., Walters, S., Naylor, M., & Clarke, J. (2021). Physical activity and associated constraints following the transition from high school to university. Recreational Sports Journal, 45(1), 52–60