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Barriers to exercise uptake among female medical students: a cross-sectional study
Corresponding Author(s) : eman alkhalawi
Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026)
Abstract
Objectives: This study investigates physical activity levels and perceived barriers among female medical students at King Abdulaziz University. It explores the association between these barriers and students’ self-reported physical activity.
Methodology: Data were collected via a web-based questionnaire from 301 students between November and December 2022. The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and perceived barriers to exercise using the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale (EBBS). Association between physical activity and barriers was examined using the unpaired t-test.
Results: Only a third of the participants engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity on at least three days in the past week. Practical, financial, and logistical barriers—such as cost, time constraints, and limited exercise facilities—were the most frequently cited barriers to physical activity, with over 70% of students agreeing or strongly agreeing with these challenges. Physically active students reported a higher mean barrier score (37.1) than those who were not active (33.8), suggesting that they were more aware of the barriers they faced. Social barriers had a lower impact on the students’ physical activity. However, at least 20% of participants agreed with each item on the barrier scale.
Conclusion: tailored interventions are necessary to address both logistical and social barriers to physical activity among this population. Affordable and accessible exercise facilities, with student involvement in planning, could support and sustain physical activity.
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- 1. World Health Organization. Physical activity updated 26 June 2024; accessed: 3 March 2025. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity.
- 2. Katzmarzyk PT, Friedenreich C, Shiroma EJ, Lee IM. Physical inactivity and non-communicable disease burden in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2022;56(2):101. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-103640.
- 3. WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. . Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. Available from: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/336656/9789240015128-eng.pdf?sequence=1.
- 4. Paudel S, Owen AJ, Smith BJ. Exploration of Physical Activity Barriers and Facilitators Among Adults in Kathmandu, Nepal. Qual Health Res. 2021;31(6):1183-95. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732321993096.
- 5. Blake H, Stanulewicz N, McGill F. Predictors of physical activity and barriers to exercise in nursing and medical students. J Adv Nurs. 2017;73(4):917-29. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13181.
- 6. Deisz M, Papproth C, Ambler E, Glick M, Eno C. Correlates and Barriers of Exercise, Stress, and Wellness in Medical Students. Med Sci Educ. 2024;34(6):1433-44. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-024-02134-5.
- 7. Michael SL, Merlo CL, Basch CE, Wentzel KR, Wechsler H. Critical connections: health and academics. J Sch Health. 2015;85(11):740-58. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12309.
- 8. Rasberry CN, Lee SM, Robin L, Laris BA, Russell LA, Coyle KK, et al. The association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance: a systematic review of the literature. Prev Med. 2011;52 Suppl 1:S10-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.01.027.
- 9. Moschny A, Platen P, Klaassen-Mielke R, Trampisch U, Hinrichs T. Barriers to physical activity in older adults in Germany: a cross-sectional study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011;8:121. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-8-121.
- 10. Al-Hazzaa HM. Physical inactivity in Saudi Arabia revisited: A systematic review of inactivity prevalence and perceived barriers to active living. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2018;12(6):50-64.
- 11. NCD Risk Factor Collaboration. Worldwide trends in body-mass index, underweight, overweight, and obesity from 1975 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 2416 population-based measurement studies in 128.9 million children, adolescents, and adults. Lancet. 2017;390(10113):2627-42. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32129-3.
- 12. Lee PH, Macfarlane DJ, Lam TH, Stewart SM. Validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF): a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011;8:115. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-8-115.
- 13. Sechrist KR, Walker SN, Pender NJ. Development and psychometric evaluation of the exercise benefits/barriers scale. Res Nurs Health. 1987;10(6):357-65. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.4770100603.
- 14. Samara A, Nistrup A, Al-Rammah TY, Aro AR. Lack of facilities rather than sociocultural factors as the primary barrier to physical activity among female Saudi university students. Int J Womens Health. 2015;7:279-86. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/ijwh.S80680.
- 15. Sabei A, Dahhas M. Assessment of Physical Inactivity and Barriers to Physical Activity Among the General Population in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus. 2024;16(10):e72295. doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.72295.
- 16. Alrimali AM. Assessment of physical activity level, self-efficacy and perceived barriers to physical activity among adult Saudi women. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2023;18(4):812-21. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2022.12.017.
- 17. Alharbi BFH, Baker P, Pavey T, Alharbi MF. Investigating the beliefs of Saudi females regarding physical activity: a qualitative exploration. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2024;19(1):2296696. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2296696.
- 18. Alissa NA. Cultural Challenges to Weight Management: A Qualitative Study of Saudi Women's Experiences. J Community Health Nurs. 2022;39(1):12-24. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/07370016.2022.2028062.
References
1. World Health Organization. Physical activity updated 26 June 2024; accessed: 3 March 2025. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity.
2. Katzmarzyk PT, Friedenreich C, Shiroma EJ, Lee IM. Physical inactivity and non-communicable disease burden in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2022;56(2):101. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-103640.
3. WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. . Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. Available from: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/336656/9789240015128-eng.pdf?sequence=1.
4. Paudel S, Owen AJ, Smith BJ. Exploration of Physical Activity Barriers and Facilitators Among Adults in Kathmandu, Nepal. Qual Health Res. 2021;31(6):1183-95. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732321993096.
5. Blake H, Stanulewicz N, McGill F. Predictors of physical activity and barriers to exercise in nursing and medical students. J Adv Nurs. 2017;73(4):917-29. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13181.
6. Deisz M, Papproth C, Ambler E, Glick M, Eno C. Correlates and Barriers of Exercise, Stress, and Wellness in Medical Students. Med Sci Educ. 2024;34(6):1433-44. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-024-02134-5.
7. Michael SL, Merlo CL, Basch CE, Wentzel KR, Wechsler H. Critical connections: health and academics. J Sch Health. 2015;85(11):740-58. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12309.
8. Rasberry CN, Lee SM, Robin L, Laris BA, Russell LA, Coyle KK, et al. The association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance: a systematic review of the literature. Prev Med. 2011;52 Suppl 1:S10-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.01.027.
9. Moschny A, Platen P, Klaassen-Mielke R, Trampisch U, Hinrichs T. Barriers to physical activity in older adults in Germany: a cross-sectional study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011;8:121. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-8-121.
10. Al-Hazzaa HM. Physical inactivity in Saudi Arabia revisited: A systematic review of inactivity prevalence and perceived barriers to active living. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2018;12(6):50-64.
11. NCD Risk Factor Collaboration. Worldwide trends in body-mass index, underweight, overweight, and obesity from 1975 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 2416 population-based measurement studies in 128.9 million children, adolescents, and adults. Lancet. 2017;390(10113):2627-42. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32129-3.
12. Lee PH, Macfarlane DJ, Lam TH, Stewart SM. Validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF): a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011;8:115. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-8-115.
13. Sechrist KR, Walker SN, Pender NJ. Development and psychometric evaluation of the exercise benefits/barriers scale. Res Nurs Health. 1987;10(6):357-65. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.4770100603.
14. Samara A, Nistrup A, Al-Rammah TY, Aro AR. Lack of facilities rather than sociocultural factors as the primary barrier to physical activity among female Saudi university students. Int J Womens Health. 2015;7:279-86. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/ijwh.S80680.
15. Sabei A, Dahhas M. Assessment of Physical Inactivity and Barriers to Physical Activity Among the General Population in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus. 2024;16(10):e72295. doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.72295.
16. Alrimali AM. Assessment of physical activity level, self-efficacy and perceived barriers to physical activity among adult Saudi women. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2023;18(4):812-21. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2022.12.017.
17. Alharbi BFH, Baker P, Pavey T, Alharbi MF. Investigating the beliefs of Saudi females regarding physical activity: a qualitative exploration. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2024;19(1):2296696. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2296696.
18. Alissa NA. Cultural Challenges to Weight Management: A Qualitative Study of Saudi Women's Experiences. J Community Health Nurs. 2022;39(1):12-24. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/07370016.2022.2028062.