BOOSTING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN UNIVERSITY PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: SECOND STUDY

Abstract

Background. Physical activity is a critical component of a healthy lifestyle, contributing to the prevention of chronic diseases, supporting mental health, and promoting overall well-being (Neumark-Sztainer, 2010; Iconaru, 2023; Burciu & Stoica, 2025). Despite these benefits, lifestyle changes in post-communist Romania have led to rising overweight and obesity rates, particularly among urban
youth (Roman, 2019; Lăzărescu & Popa, 2015; Geantă, 2021). This study focuses on the University of Bucharest (UniBuc) to explore reasons behind students’ participation in university-organized physical activities (Puiu, 2020).The lack of participation in sports and physical activities exhibited by young people is addressed in the academic environment, specifically in the University of Bucharest, which makes the subject of the present study.
Objectives. This research focuses on the University of Bucharest to explore the reasons behind students' low participation in university-organized physical activities. This research effort aims to lay the groundwork of an extended research effort centered on identifying the main reasons why young students (roughly aged 18-35) don’t participate – or only participate sporadically, or only because of the
mandatory component – in physical activities organized by the university they are enrolled in, and, in subsidiary, in physical activities overall.
Methods. By employing a structured questionnaire distributed electronically, this study aims to collect comprehensive data on student demographics, participation levels, motivations, barriers, and suggestions for improvement. The quantitative analysis component of the study aims to identify participation trends and barriers, while qualitative insights will provide nuanced perspectives on students' experiences. The findings will inform targeted strategies to promote physical activity among students, contributing to their immediate and long-term health.
Results. Data collected from the survey will be analyzed using various statistical methods to identify prevalent trends and correlations, while thematic analysis will be applied to the qualitative responses of the UniBuc students in order to extract common themes and insights.
Conclusion. Overall, this exploratory study seeks to lay the groundwork for future research on enhancing physical activity participation in academic settings, ultimately supporting the holistic development of young adults. Understanding the factors that influence  students' engagement in physical activity will contribute significantly to the process of building the necessary conditions for their future participation, which represents the main point of this exploratory study, and, in line with its results, other potential research efforts focused on this pressing issue.