Leisure-time in physical activity in university students and school transition to university from behavioral theories: a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Changes in behaviors or adoption of unhealthy lifestyles are present with the evolution of age and the modification of educational environments. This review aims to identify the existing scientific evidence around the behavior toward physical activity in leisure time and the evolution of the intention to be physically active during the school transition to university in university students from the Theory of Self-determination, the Theory of Behavior Planned and the Trans-Contextual Model. Method: 472 original articles in SPORTDiscus and manual search, up to June 2019, of which 54 studies met inclusion criteria. Results: The Self-determination Theory was the most widely implemented in the selected studies. The combination of theories has expanded the possibility of analyzing behavior towards physical activity from other constructs. Conclusions: Significant and positive associations between social support, the satisfaction of basic psychological needs and self-determined motivation, favor the intention and actual practice of physical activity, if perceived barriers are reduced and gender and context differences are taken into account; School transition processes favor adherence to an active lifestyle, if there are positive experiences perceived in physical education class, extracurricular physical activity and physical activity promoted in the university environment.