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Physical Activity and Physical Fitness among University Students—A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Vidran Kljajević

    (Secondary Vocational School, Bijelo Polje 84000, Montenegro)

  • Mima Stanković

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, 18000 Nis, Serbia)

  • Dušan Đorđević

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, 18000 Nis, Serbia)

  • Drena Trkulja-Petković

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10110 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Rade Jovanović

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, 18000 Nis, Serbia)

  • Kristian Plazibat

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10110 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Mario Oršolić

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10110 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Mijo Čurić

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Goran Sporiš

    (Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10110 Zagreb, Croatia)

Abstract

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the scientific evidence regarding physical activity and physical fitness among university students. The search and analysis of the studies were done in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. An electronic databases search (Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus) yielded 11,839 studies. Subsequently, the identified studies had to be published in English between 2011 and 2021, the experimental study had to have included males and females attending a faculty, and the participants had to have been evaluated for physical activity and fitness. A total of 21 studies were included in the quantitative synthesis, with a total of 7306 participants, both male and female. After analyzing the obtained results, it could be concluded that university students show a satisfactory level of physical activity and physical fitness. However, the results vary due to different factors involved, mostly related to the cultural differences and educational systems in different countries. As this study observes mediocre results of physical activity and physical fitness among university students, it is crucial to get their attention and awareness, to at least maintain a satisfactory level of physical activity and physical fitness.

Suggested Citation

  • Vidran Kljajević & Mima Stanković & Dušan Đorđević & Drena Trkulja-Petković & Rade Jovanović & Kristian Plazibat & Mario Oršolić & Mijo Čurić & Goran Sporiš, 2021. "Physical Activity and Physical Fitness among University Students—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:158-:d:710082
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Józef Bergier & Anatolii Tsos & Dariya Popovych & Barbara Bergier & Ewelina Niźnikowska & Pongrác Ács & Jan Junger & Ferdinand Salonna, 2018. "Level of and Factors Determining Physical Activity in Students in Ukraine and the Visegrad Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-12, August.
    2. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    3. Franck, C. & Grandi, S.M. & Eisenberg, M.J., 2013. "Taxing junk food to counter obesity," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(11), pages 1949-1953.
    4. Hideki Shimamoto & Masataka Suwa & Koh Mizuno, 2021. "Relationships between Depression, Daily Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Daytime Sleepiness among Japanese University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-9, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lingfeng Kong & Yufei Cui & Qiang Gong, 2022. "Duration of Daytime Napping Is Related to Physical Fitness among Chinese University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Hanying Zhang & Yuke Qin & Sabika Khalid & Endale Tadesse & Chunhai Gao, 2023. "A Systematic Review of the Impact of Physical Activity on Cognitive and Noncognitive Development in Chinese University Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-11, January.
    3. Yining Lu & Huw D. Wiltshire & Julien S. Baker & Qiaojun Wang, 2022. "Effects of Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise on 24 h Movement Behaviors in Inactive Female University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-15, June.

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