Abstract
Physical activity is a key public health initiative, but it is often overlooked due to demanding work schedules. Nurses are vital healthcare promoters and are expected to model healthy behaviours, including regular physical activity. Given the demanding nature of their work, which includes long hours, it can be challenging for nursing students to prioritise their health.
This study aimed to investigate physical activity levels among nursing students and to identify factors that influence their decisions about physical activity.
A quantitative approach was used with a non-experimental, descriptive design. Non-probability convenient sampling was employed to identify the study’s population. The study population comprised 101 respondents who indicated their willingness to participate in the research. These respondents completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) via Google Forms. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS (v 29.0.2.0), compiled in an Excel spreadsheet, and presented using descriptive statistics.
The findings indicated relatively low levels of physical activity, with 32.7% of respondents reporting being inactive (M=2.20; SD=1.27). Although moderate activity and walking were common, majority of respondents engaged in low-intensity, short-duration activities. A sedentary lifestyle was prevalent among the respondents, with 34.7% sitting for more than three hours daily. Furthermore, the study identified barriers to physical activity as demanding workloads, fatigue, limited time, and prolonged sitting, while walking was identified as an accessible enabler. Lastly, the study recommends incorporating physical activity promotion into the higher education curriculum to reduce sedentary time and support workplace and campus wellness programmes. The findings emphasised the need for directed interventions to promote active lifestyles among nursing students in higher education institutions.