DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-025-2-0329

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' PERSPECTIVES ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS

Karin Baisová¹, Štefan Adamčák², Michal Marko³, Jana Luptáková¹

¹ Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Technical University in Zvolen, Slovakia

² Faculty of Sports Science and Health, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

³ Faculty of Performing Arts, Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

Physical activity in natural environments, often referred to as “green exercise” is linked to numerous benefits (e.g., physical, psychological) including reduction of stress, improved mood, and enhanced motivation for regular exercise (“green”, in our case). University students, who face increased risks of physical inactivity because of academic demands and lifestyle changes, have unique perspectives on participating in physical activity in natural environments; therefore, it (study) aims at exploring university students' perspectives on physical activity in natural environments; in particular, motivations and barriers. Instrument of survey (4Qs) was carried out 2 months (Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2025), as means of exploring 1,121 university students' (45.94% of boys, 54.06% of girls) perspectives on physical activity in natural environments. 35.33% (396) of students participated in green exercise 1x/ week (p ˂ 0.01), in general, for 1-3 hours/ week (51.57%; 580) (p ˂ 0.01). 43.69% (225) of male students participated in green exercise because of improving health (p ˂ 0.01), and 56.60% (343) of female students participated in green exercise because of relaxation and stress relief (p ˂ 0.01). “Lack of time” to participate in green exercise reported 67.81% (760) of students (p ˂ 0.01). It (study) highlights the need for strategy (targeted) to promote green exercise in university students by addressing the time constraints and emphasizing gender-specific motivators.

Keywords: barriers, natural environments, motivations, university students

pages: 329-332, Published: 2025, online: 2025