Demographic predictors of physical activity barriers among Filipino college students: A logistic regression analysis

This study investigated the influence of demographic factors on college students’ perceived barriers to physical activity participation across seven key domains: lack of time, influence from others, lack of energy, lack of willpower, fear of injury, lack of skill, and lack of resources. Utilizing a cross-sectional design and binary logistic regression analysis, the study surveyed college students to determine which demographic variables significantly predict physical activity constraints. The results revealed that gender identity, academic year level, field of study, and socio-economic status significantly influenced specific barrier domains. Female students were more likely to report psychological and skill-related barriers, while STEM students demonstrated higher odds of perceiving time and resource constraints compared to their HUMSS counterparts. Additionally, senior and middle-income students perceived fewer barriers, reflecting how maturity and economic factors shape physical activity participation. The findings emphasize the need for inclusive, targeted strategies in university settings that address group-specific challenges to promote equitable access to physical activity. These insights offer valuable implications for physical education programs, wellness interventions, and campus health policy design.