Investigation of the relationship between smart phone addiction and physical activity in university students

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this research was to determine the university students’ characteristics regarding smartphone usage and physical activity and to investigate the relationship between smart phone addiction and the physical activity levels. Methods: A total of 288 (female=159 and male=129) students were involved in this observational study. Smartphone usage characteristics of the participants were recorded. The short form of the Smartphone Addiction Scale was used to assess their smartphone addiction, and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess their physical activity levels. Results: It was found that 37.7% of the females and 27.9% of the males were at risk of smartphone addiction. There was no difference between the males and females in terms of smartphone addiction (p>0.05). There was no difference in the physical activity levels of the participants regardless of smartphone addiction (p>0.05). A weak negative correlation was found between smartphone addiction and moderate physical activity score (r=-0.126, p=0.047). Conclusion: According to this study, the university students showed inadequate levels of physical activity and were at risk of smartphone addiction. Considering the negative correlation between smartphone addiction and moderate physical activity, access to physical activity facilities in universities should be facilitated, and awareness on this issue should be increased.

Keywords

• addictive behavior
• physical activity
• students
• university