The Relationship Between Body Composition and Exercise Patterns in College Students Enrolled in a Lifetime Fitness Course

PURPOSE: To analyze the relationship between body composition and exercise participation, along with perception towards Lifetime Fitness (LF) courses. METHODS: Thirty-eight students (20 males and 18 females) at Baylor University completed a qualitative survey pertaining their LF course and exercise participation. Additionally, height, weight, waist-to-hip ratio, and body composition [fat free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and body fat percentage (BF%)] were assessed. RESULTS: Participants who exercised more than twice a week were associated (p = 0.021) with personal wellbeing as their motivation to exercise. Males who exercise less than twice a week were associated (p = 0.041) with having lower FFM, whereas females were associated (p = 0.004, 0.027, 0.001, respectively) with lower body mass index, FFM, and FM. CONCLUSION: Frequency of exercise was not determined by body composition due to sex differences. Additionally, students who took an LF course because of requirement exhibited a lack of exercise participation.