The impact of moderate physical activity and student interaction on retention at a community college

• Published in: Journal of American college health Vol. 71; no. 1; pp. 154 - 161
• Main Authors: Prial, Anne, Zhu, Xihe, Bol, Linda, Williams, Mitchell R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 01.01.2023; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Chi-square test; college student; Community College Students; Community colleges; Community Relations; Exercise; Humans; Interaction; peer interaction; Peer Relationship; Physical Activities; Physical activity; Physical Activity Level; Retention; Retention rate; School Holding Power; sense of belonging; Sense of Community; Social interaction; Student retention; Students; Universities; Walking; Retention rate; college student; peer interaction; physical activity; sense of belonging
• ISSN: 0744-8481; 1940-3208
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1881103

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of a voluntary walking program that combined moderate physical activity and student interaction on student retention at a community college. Methods: A sample of 69 students at a suburban community college voluntarily joined a walking program and logged the number of minutes they walked and the number of people they spoke to each day. Using a Chi-Squared Test of Independence, the study sample was compared to a matched sample of nonparticipating students. Results: There was a significant difference in these groups relative to retention. A Fisher's Exact Test was used to consider (a) the difference between participants who walked at least 150 minutes per week Reference (1) and those who did not relative to retention and (b) the difference between participants who interacted while walking and those who did not relative to retention. These tests showed no significant differences. Conclusions: Participation in the walking program was significantly associated with retention, but amount of moderate activity or interaction was not.