Exploring the Post-COVID Reasons for IPAPs Student Enrollment

Background: Many college students accumulate low levels of physical activity and even more so since the COVID-19 pandemic. Instructional physical activity programs (IPAPs) are a viable option for students to increase physical activity levels, but the reasons students take these courses have not been explored since the pandemic. Aim: This pilot study explores the reasons students choose to take courses in an elective IPAP program. Methods: This study employed a survey-based approach to investigate the reasons behind college students’ enrollment in IPAPs following the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey (n = 85) included demographic information, reasons for taking a course, courses students would have interest in taking, and preferred length and delivery mode. Results: Findings revealed that the top three reasons for females to sign up for an activity course were: (1) wanted to learn a new activity, (2) to exercise regularly, and (3) to improve fitness. For males, the top three reasons were: (1) wanted to have fun, (2) to improve skills of the activity, and to (3) to exercise regularly. Conclusions: Results from this study show high alignment and slight differences with similar research done prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, students appear to enjoy fun, fitness-based, and novel course options in IPAP programs.