Running head: EFFECTS OF GENDER ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Effects of Gender on Physical Activity in College Students

Jasmin Cabrales
California State University San Bernardino

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Abstract
Physical activity is an important factor towards maintaining good health and increasing
your chances of living longer, while at the same time decreasing the chances of being high at risk
for chronic diseases like diabetes or hypertension. For ones own benefit as well as to benefit
others it is important to perform daily physical activity. This study examines the differences on
physical activity by looking at gender. The purpose of this research is to analyze the differences
in physical activity among gender to see how physical activity levels can improve and increase.
A random sample of college students was used for this research. The students were asked to
complete a survey that asked a series of questions related to factors that can impact health. An
independent sample t-test as well as descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data between
genders. Statistical significance was found, college males exercise more each week compared to
college females.
Keywords: gender, physical activity, exercise, intrinsic, extrinsic

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Effects of Gender on Physical Activity in College Students

Throughout the years, many studies have shown that physical activity is crucial to
maintaining a healthy body. It is therefore very important for people of all ages to perform some
sort of physical activity. Past studies have shown that even though physical activity has been
linked to reducing chronic diseases such as type two diabetes, stroke and heart disease, college
students are showing low levels of physical activity (Mcarthur and Raedeke, 2009; Egli, Bland,
Melton, and Czech, 2011; Deaner, Geary, Puts, Ham, Kruger, Fles, Winegard and Grandis, 2012;
Kilpatrick, Hebert and Bartholomew, 2005). The differences on physical activity are affected by
gender. College males are more physically active than females.
For example, Mcarthur, L., and Raedeke, T. (2009) presented 636 college students who
were enrolled in a lifetime physical activity and fitness course. The students were ask to
complete a survey during the second week of class. Godin and Shephards Leisure-Time Physical
Exercise Questionnaire was used to measure self-reported activity level (GLTEQ). The
questionnaire asks how many times a person participates in strenuous, moderate and mild short
periods of physical activity for at least 15 minutes during a 7 day time period. Levels of activity
are then converted to metabolic equivalents by multiplying episodes of strenuous activity by 9,
moderate by 5, and mild activity by a factor of 3. By using ANOVA, all the descriptive statistics
were computed for all variables. Results supported the hypothesis and showed that there was
significance between physical activity levels between genders. Females specifically black
females showed the least amount of physical activity. For this specific research, data was also
collected data on other variables such as intrinsic motives and activity enjoyment. This showed
that college males reportedly enjoy exercise more than females.

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Despite past and present research on the importance of being physically active, the
American College Health Associations report that about 32.5% of college students are
overweight or obese. Many factors affect the levels of physical activity amongst college students,
one of them being gender. Egli, T., Bland, H., Melton, N., and Czech, D. (2011), presented a
quantitative, quasi-experimental, cross-sectional descriptive study to show the effect on gender in
college students. The study involved 2, 214 students who completed the instruments. Although
an EMI-2 was conducted to measure participants exercise motives, the measurement used to see
the differences between genders was ANOVA. Significant differences were found between males
and females. Results showed that males are usually motivated by intrinsic factors (behavior is
personally rewarding), while females are motivated by extrinsic factors (motivated to perform a
behavior to earn a reward). Since intrinsic motivators were higher among college males, they
tend to exercise more and keep up with continuous physical activity. This is of great importance
because health professionals can focus more on intrinsic factors that will motivate all individuals
to exercise.
In addition, males show higher levels of physical activity due to the fact that they
tend to be more interested in sports. Deaner, R. et al., (2012), analyzed data from the American
Time Survey which showed that male participation in sports was higher than those of female
participants. Males showed significantly higher rates in sports, specifically in team and
individual sports. However, there was not much difference in total exercise participation. Males
overall exercise activity was slightly higher than those of females. Statistical significance was
seen more on sex differences in participation duration. It was males who participated more for
longer periods of time. Overall there research showed that even though they are females who are

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physically active, when it comes to sex, males tend to not only participate in sports more, but
also exercise more and for longer durations.
Kilpatrick, M., Hebert, E., and Bartholomew, J. (2005), also conducted research on the
basis of the differences in motivation for exercise between males and females. With a sample of
233 students, data was collected and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences.
The information that was provided dealt with their behavior on physical activity as well as
single-item indicators that measured frequency, duration, intensity, and adherence. Descriptive
statistics then revealed that there were differences in exercise and sports between males and
females. For overall exercise, males had a mean of 2.44 while females had a mean of 2.38. Data
also supported the hypothesis that differences exist between males and females when it comes to
motives for sport participation and exercise. Gender differences showed that men are more likely
to be motivated by performance and factors that are related with ego, and social competition.
Methods
Participants
A cross sectional study was conducted with, a total of 295 students (male n=144 and
female n=155) who were enrolled in undergraduate health and kinesiology courses. Individuals
were randomly selected to participate in a survey that asked them about their health behaviors.
Before the survey was given to the students, a brief description was given to the students on the
study that was being conducted. The survey was completely anonymous and informed consent
was provided. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) as well as California State University of
San Bernardino (CSUSB) approved this study. Research was conducted under supervision of Dr.
Lachausse.

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Materials and Procedures

Data was collected at the beginning of each class. Students were informed that the survey
being conducted was confidential as well as voluntary. Once students were given a brief
description about the survey, it took approximately 15 minutes to complete. Survey asked a
series of questions about their health behaviors and whether or not they participate in activities
that affect their health. In addition, students were also told that they can stop the survey at any
time. The type of survey individuals completed was the National College Health Assessment
from the American College Health Association (American College Health Association, 2013).
Assessment consists of questions that asked about smoking, drug substance, and other factors
such as how many days are they physically active. For this specific study, the factors from the
survey being used were gender and physical activity. The effect on gender (males and females)
on physical activity. Individuals indicated their gender, and indicated if they were physically
active and if so what days of the week they performed physical activity.
Results
Demographics
To examine the effect of gender on physical activity among college students, data was
analyzed to see the differences in what gender, whether males or females are more physically
active. Study consisted of a total of 295 students of those males n=140 and females n= 155.
Approximately 47.5% were males and 52.5% were females. Table 1 shows the students broken
down by ethnicity. Ethnicities were categorized by white (Non-Hispanic), Hispanic/Latino,
African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, American/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Native
American and other. Hispanic/Latino was the biggest with n=162 and a 20.3%. Data was also

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broken down into age. Table 2 shows ages range from 18-25, with a couple of individuals of age
25 and up.
Descriptive statistics and an independent sample t-test were conducted to compare the
means of physical activity in males and the means of physical activity in females. Descriptive
statistics revealed that males (M=2.58, sd=2.24) are more likely to be physically active each
week than females (M=1.83, sd=2.12) see Figure 1. An independent sample t-test comparing the
mean scores of the experimental and control groups revealed that CSUSB males are significantly
more physically active than CSUSB females, t(284)=2.94, p=.004, d=0.34, r=0.17). Overall
physical activity each week is higher in males than in females.
Discussion
The findings of this study are consistent with previous research (Mcarthur, L., and
Raedeke, T. et al.) which indicates that gender has great effect on physical activities. College
males are more likely to be physically active each week, when compared to college females.
There are many factors that come in place to support these differences in gender on physical
activity. College males are more likely to play sports and be motivated by intrinsic factors, which
in the long run are a more effective way to keep up with physical activity (Egli, T. et al.,
2011).Further studies also indicate that males receive more enjoyment out of exercise, causing
them to keep up with daily physical activity, as well as for longer periods of time (Mcarthur, L.,
and Raedeke, T., 2009). In some cases results showed that, males and females had the same
exercise amount overall, however differences did exist when it came to motives of physical
activity ( Deaner, R. et al., 2012).

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Limitations
These findings are limited by the validity of the measures such as participation bias. In
addition, there are limitations of the cross-sectional design such as problems inherent with selfreported measures. Social desirability bias and recall bias are just a few of self-reported measures
that can occur. Finally, the sample was limited to undergraduate college students. Therefore, the
findings may not be generalized to other age groups.
Conclusion
The purpose of this study was to test the effect that gender can have on physical activity,
among college students. Males showed higher levels of physical activity, because they were
motivated by factors that were self-rewarding to them and enjoyable, not just to receive some
sort of reward. Evidence from this random sample of college students suggest that focusing on
intrinsic factors as motivators for physical activity can increase the levels of exercise among
college students.

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References
American College Health Association (2013). National College Health Assessment. Retrieved
from www.acha-ncha.org/reports_ACHA-NCHAII.html
Deaner, R., Geary, D., Puts, D., Ham, S., Kruger, J., et al. (2012). A sex difference in the
predisposition for physical competition: Males play sports much more than females even in the
contemporary us. PLOS ONE, 7(11).
Egli, T., Bland, H., Melton, B., & Czech, D. (2011). Influence of age, sex, and race on college
students' exercise motivation of physical activity. Journal of American College Health: J of
ACH, 59(5), 399-406.
Kilpatrick, M., Hebert, E., & Bartholomew, J. (2005). College students' motivation for physical
activity: Differentiating men's and women's motives for sport participation and exercise. Journal
of American College Health, 54(2), 87.
McArthur, L., & Raedeke, T. (2009). Race and sex differences in college student physical
activity correlates. American Journal of Health Behavior, 33(1), 80-90.

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Figure 1:Comparison of means of physical activity between Gender.

3
2.5

1.83

2
1.5
1
0.5
0

2.58
Male

Female