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Introduction: Physical activity is critical for health promotion and the prevention of noncommunicable illnesses, especially among teenagers. However, teenagers' active participation in physical exercise may be hampered by perceived impediments to physical activity. Objective: This study aimed to identify the external and internal barriers to physical activities among adolescents, as well as any differences in these barriers between males and females. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 600 adolescent students (aged 11-16) from a public school in Jordan. A self-administered questionnaire with 12 items assessed barriers to physical activity. Internal and external barriers were identified, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Results: Male adolescents reported more perceived hurdles to physical exercise than female adolescents, with lack of time and lack of self-confidence being the most significant impediments. External impediments were more prominent than internal barriers, particularly a lack of resources. The total score for external barriers was significantly higher than that for internal barriers. "Lack of resources" was the most important external barrier (mean = 3.49), and "lack of self-confidence" was the most significant internal barrier (mean = 3.47). Male and female teenagers differed in the obstacles of "lack of self-confidence" (p = .045) and "lack of time" (p = .040). The most significant perceived hurdles included a lack of awareness of the health benefits of exercise, concerns about appearance while exercising, limited access to fitness centers, lack of exercise equipment at home, and insufficient spare time due to a packed class schedule. Conclusion: It is critical to implement interventions that address the identified barriers to physical activity, particularly among female adolescents, such as improving opportunities for physical activity and providing social support for participation.
RESUMEN
Introduction: In general, undergraduate university students in the north of Jordan have a low level of physical activity. Objectives: To examine the physical activity level, perceived barriers and benefits to physical activity, and the contributing factors among university students in north of Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, and data was collected from 235 university students through a self-reported questionnaire. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was utilized to calculate the amount of physical activity, while the exercise benefits and barriers scale (EBBS) was used to measure the perceived benefits and barriers of physical activity. Results: According to the findings, less than half of the students (48.1%) reported engaging in physical activity. Several factors were found to be significantly related to higher levels of physical activity, including being younger, single, having a normal body weight, and reporting excellent health status. Logistic regression analysis revealed that overweight (OR = -0.068, 95% CI 0.025-0.183) and obese (OR = -0.250, 95% CI 0.068-0.924) were less likely to be physically active, while those who rated their health as excellent had higher rates of physical activity (OR = 3.590, 95% CI 1.263-10.201). The students agreed most strongly with the perceived benefit item "Exercise improves the way my body looks," while the perceived barrier item they identified most strongly with was "There are too few places for me to exercise." Conclusion: This study provides important data for health promotion programs aimed at supporting physical activity among university students.
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BACKGROUND: Sleep has been considered as a critical brain state that affects various body functions relevant to physiotherapy (PTs) practice such as motor learning and relearning, pain management, and cognitive function. Despite the importance of sleep for successful rehabilitation outcomes, sleep is often overlooked by PTs. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the attitude and perception of PTs on the need to assess sleep and provide education about sleep for their patients, as well as the perceived need for PTs to be educated on sleep topics. METHODS: A survey questionnaire to assess physical therapist's perceptions and attitudes about sleep was utilized in this study. RESULTS: 90 PTs fill out the survey. All respondents agreed that poor sleep is important to people's health, 93% agreed that PTs should assess patients' sleep habits and sleep quality and 88% agreed that addressing sleep issues may impact PTs outcomes. The majority did not receive education about sleep during PT education (75%) or following graduation (86%). Most respondents (95%) think PTs should receive education about sleep. CONCLUSIONS: our findings indicated that PTs recognize that sleep impacts their outcomes and patients' sleep should be assessed, as well as the need to receive education about sleep. Therefore, PT education programs may consider incorporating education about sleep, and the development of continuing education courses is also needed.