Association between EIM-OC Recognition and Physical Activity Using ACHA–NCHA Fall 2019 Data

Regular physical activity during college years is critical for long-term health, yet most college students in the United States fail to meet federal Physical Activity Guidelines. Exercise is Medicine® On Campus, an initiative of the American College of Sports Medicine, promotes campus-wide PA through institutional collaboration. This study used self-reported data from the fall 2019 ACHA-NCHA III survey to examine whether students attending Exercise is Medicine® On Campus-recognized universities were more likely to meet federal aerobic and combined aerobic/strength Physical Activity Guidelines than students at nonrecognized institutions. Among 38,098 students across 41 universities, adjusted logistic regression models showed that students at Exercise is Medicine® On Campus campuses had higher odds of meeting aerobic Physical Activity Guidelines (AOR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.32-1.51) and combined Physical Activity Guidelines (AOR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04-1.17). These findings suggest an association between Exercise is Medicine® On Campus recognition and higher student physical activity levels, underscoring the need for further evaluation of its institutional impact.