Longitudinal changes in college students' exercise participation

A 4-page questionnaire was mailed to 708 randomly selected 1st-year university students to assess changes in the students' exercise behavior from the Ist year of college to the 2nd year. The questionnaire assessed student demographics and participation in vigorous and moderate exercise over the preceding 7 days. Three hundred thirty-two students responded. A year later, a similar questionnaire was mailed to the same 332 students; responses were obtained from 242 students. Although no changes in reported exercise participation were found in the group as a whole, subgroups of students who either increased or decreased exercise participation were identified. Implications for exercise intervention programs among college students are presented.