BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS TO ENGAGING IN REGULAR PHYSICAL EXERCISE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE LAW STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN
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Abstract
This study assessed the barriers and facilitators that influence undergraduate law students’
engagement in regular physical exercise. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was
employed for this research. The study population comprised of 265 students selected using
convenience sampling technique from the Faculty of Law. A self-administered, structured
questionnaire organized into four sections: demographic data, current physical exercise patterns,
barriers, and facilitators to engaging in regular physical exercise, was the primary and only data
collection tool. The analysis of the data collected revealed that lack of energy, lack of motivation,
and time constraints due to academic workload were perceived as most significant barriers to
engaging in regular exercise. “Lack of awareness” being significant barrier suggested that
students were aware of the benefits of physical exercise but struggle with exercise adherence.
The most significant facilitators were identified to be “Having a strong desire to be physically
active and health”, “Feeling energetic and motivated”, and “Good physical health and absence of
injuries”, all of which are intrinsic and health-focused. The majority of students that engage in
regular physical exercise report walking (85.2%) as their most frequent form of physical exercise
followed by running (32.8%), suggesting a preference low cost exercise that can be integrated in
their daily routine. The study used the independent t-test find no significant relationship between
the students’ level of knowledge about the benefits of physical exercise and their engagement in
regular physical exercise (p = 0.515), failing to reject the null hypothesis. The finding that
knowledge is not a significant facilitator of exercise adherence suggests that health promotion
interventions must shift to behavioural strategies that address motivation, time management, and
overcoming mental and physical fatigue.
engagement in regular physical exercise. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was
employed for this research. The study population comprised of 265 students selected using
convenience sampling technique from the Faculty of Law. A self-administered, structured
questionnaire organized into four sections: demographic data, current physical exercise patterns,
barriers, and facilitators to engaging in regular physical exercise, was the primary and only data
collection tool. The analysis of the data collected revealed that lack of energy, lack of motivation,
and time constraints due to academic workload were perceived as most significant barriers to
engaging in regular exercise. “Lack of awareness” being significant barrier suggested that
students were aware of the benefits of physical exercise but struggle with exercise adherence.
The most significant facilitators were identified to be “Having a strong desire to be physically
active and health”, “Feeling energetic and motivated”, and “Good physical health and absence of
injuries”, all of which are intrinsic and health-focused. The majority of students that engage in
regular physical exercise report walking (85.2%) as their most frequent form of physical exercise
followed by running (32.8%), suggesting a preference low cost exercise that can be integrated in
their daily routine. The study used the independent t-test find no significant relationship between
the students’ level of knowledge about the benefits of physical exercise and their engagement in
regular physical exercise (p = 0.515), failing to reject the null hypothesis. The finding that
knowledge is not a significant facilitator of exercise adherence suggests that health promotion
interventions must shift to behavioural strategies that address motivation, time management, and
overcoming mental and physical fatigue.
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