Differences in physical activity and perceived benefits and barriers to physical activity between LGBTQ plus and non-LGBTQ plus college students

Objective To compare physical activity (PA) behaviors and perceived benefits and barriers among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) and non-LGBTQ + college students. Participants: Participants were 406 college students. Methods: Surveys assessed PA behaviors and perceptions of PA among college students. Multivariate ANOVA assessed differences in PA behaviors and perceptions of PA. Results: LGBTQ + students (n = 71) engaged in 17% less aerobic PA and 42% less resistance training than their counterparts (n = 335; both p < .05). LGBTQ + students reported 6.5% lower total Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale scores and 13.3% higher Barriers Scale scores (both p < .05). Conclusions: LGBTQ + college students are at higher risk of not meeting PA guidelines than non-LGBTQ + students. More perceived barriers and fewer perceived benefits to PA may contribute to this disparity. Identification of LGBTQ+-specific barriers to PA among college students is needed to inform programming to increase PA among this at-risk community.

Automated summary

This study compared physical activity behaviors and perceptions between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ college students. The results showed that LGBTQ+ students engaged in less aerobic exercise and resistance training, and had lower perceptions of exercise benefits and higher perceptions of barriers. LGBTQ+ college students are at higher risk of not meeting physical activity guidelines, potentially due to more perceived barriers and fewer perceived benefits to exercise.