Awareness and Knowledge of Saudi Arabia's Physical Activity Guidelines: A University-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Developing national physical activity guidelines aims to reduce inactivity-related chronic diseases. In 2021, the Saudi Public Health Authority issued recommendations to promote adult physical activity. However, little is known about how the public perceives and understands these recommendations. This study assessed awareness of guidelines and knowledge of activity intensity and weekly recommendations among a Saudi university population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult participants affiliated with Umm Al-Qura University. A total of 1,143 participants, including 1,033 university students (549 males and 484 females) and 110 university employees (48 males and 62 females), completed a structured online questionnaire assessing awareness, understanding of intensity, and knowledge of recommended activity levels. The findings revealed that 45.9% of participants reported awareness of the guidelines, with the highest recognition among female students (53.1%) and the lowest among male employees (29.2%). While most respondents demonstrated an adequate conceptual understanding of intensity classifications, their knowledge of the recommended duration and frequency of physical activity was notably lacking. Correct identification of the recommended thresholds for moderate-intensity (≥150 minutes/week), vigorous-intensity (≥75 minutes/week), and muscle-strengthening activities (≥2 days/week) was low across all groups, particularly among male students and employees. Female employees showed the strongest recall of recommended physical activity benchmarks, outperforming other groups, with correct response rates of 24.2% (moderate), 35.5% (vigorous), and 41.9% (strength training). Despite the release of the national physical activity guidelines by the Saudi Public Health Authority, many participants still lacked awareness and a clear understanding of the recommendations, highlighting the need for targeted educational efforts tailored to university populations.