Barriers and Factors Associated with Physical Activity as a Component of Healthy Lifestyles among Colombian University Students: A Documentary Review
Abstract
Physical activity is a fundamental component of healthy lifestyles; however, Colombian university students exhibit insufficient activity levels and face multiple barriers to maintaining it. This review aimed to synthesize recent evidence on the primary barriers and factors associated with physical activity in this population. To this end, a literature review was conducted on empirical studies published between 2018 and 2025, focusing on Colombian university students and topics related to physical activity, lifestyles, sedentary behavior, and individual, academic, social, or environmental factors. The reviewed evidence includes studies with sample sizes of up to 2,576 participants. In Manizales, 67.7% of students reported tiredness as the main barrier, followed by fatigue (60.24%) and lack of time (48.91%). In another study, 55.64% presented low physical activity levels, and 85.79% reported at least one barrier. Similarly, among 453 university students, 27.81% showed low physical activity levels, while lack of willpower (27.15%) and lack of time (20.09%) were the primary barriers; both were associated with a higher probability of low physical activity levels (OR = 2.76 and OR = 1.70, respectively). Among the students evaluated in Barranquilla, 39.1% were classified as inactive, and more than half perceived deficiencies in various facilities and conditions for engaging in physical activity. The findings demonstrate that barriers transcend individual motivation and are linked to academic, social, and environmental conditions. In conclusion, university promotion of healthy lifestyles requires multidimensional interventions that effectively facilitate physical activity participation.
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