UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROFILES: DOES MARITAL STATUS, SPORTS PARTICIPATION, AND COMPETITIVE LEVEL MATTER

Abstract

This cross-sectional study investigated physical activity (PA) levels and cognitive functions among university students (N=308) at Gomal University, Pakistan, analyzing differences by marital status, athletic participation, and competitive sports levels. Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Cognitive Abilities Questionnaire (CAQ), independent t-tests revealed no significant differences in PA levels between married (M=3235.995, SD=0.2611) and unmarried students (M=3235.998, SD=0.2793; t(306)=-0.082, p=0.935), or between athletes (M=3235.969, SD=0.2659) and non-athletes (M=3236.013, SD=0.2753; t(306)=-1.384, p=0.167). One-way ANOVA showed no significant PA differences across competitive levels (F (2,305)=0.465, p=0.628, η²=0.003). Similarly, cognitive functions showed no marital status differences (married: M=2.0723, SD=0.2668 vs unmarried: M=2.0404, SD=0.2944; t(306)=0.953, p=0.341) or athletic status differences (athletes: M=2.0553, SD=0.2458 vs non-athletes: M=2.0506, SD=0.3056; t(306)=0.141, p=0.888). These null findings (all p>0.05) with minimal effect sizes (η²<0.01) challenge assumptions about demographic influences on student health behaviors, suggesting institutional factors may be more salient determinants in university settings. The results emphasize the need for environment-focused health promotion strategies in academic populations.

Keywords: physical activity, cognitive function, university students, marital status, athletic participation, competitive sports