The Association Between Smart Device Usage and Physical Activity Levels in University Students in Sri Lanka: A Cross-Sectional Study

The Association Between Smart Device Usage and Physical Activity Levels in University Students in Sri Lanka: A Cross-Sectional Study | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article The Association Between Smart Device Usage and Physical Activity Levels in University Students in Sri Lanka: A Cross-Sectional Study Chamil Priyanka Senevirathne, Sandalika Pabasari Senevirathne, and 5 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6934019/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 11 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Physical activity among young people is important in minimizing the risk of noncommunicable diseases in adulthood. Smart devices have become essential tools in university students' daily lives. However, their influence on undergraduate physical activity levels remains unknown. This study examined the relationship between smart device usage and physical activity engagement among undergraduate students at a selected university in Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with undergraduates at Sri Lankan State University, and demographic and behavioral data on smart device usage, physical activity, and sedentary behavior were collected. The data were analyzed via SPSS 28.0, and the associations between demographic variables and physical activity outcomes were assessed via chi-square tests and multivariate regression models. The IPAQ short-form questionnaire was used for data processing. Most of the study participants (49.0%) were aged 23–25 years, with females comprising 59.8% of the sample. All the participants reported smartphone usage, while 32.4% utilized smartwatches. Among smartwatch users, only 15.5% employed these devices for health monitoring purposes, whereas the remainder used them primarily as fashion accessories. The study revealed that students utilizing smartwatches for health measurement presented significantly greater odds of engaging in vigorous physical activities (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.83–5.59, p < 0.05) and moderate-intensity activities (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 0.823–2.28, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the use of smartwatches for measuring health indicators was associated with a 1.7 likelihood of an increase in overall physical activity level among the survey population (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.06–2.47, p < 0.05). The study revealed that many students did not follow daily physical activity guidelines or engage in sedentary behavior. Additionally, many undergraduates who maintain an active lifestyle use smart devices to monitor their health status. University Students Physical Activities Smart Devices Background "Physical activity is defined as any form of body movement, including activities undertaken during leisure time, commuting, work, or household tasks (1). Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), characterized by significant exertion and progressively increasing breathing intensity, is widely advocated for its health benefits (2). Regular physical activity fosters optimal well-being, enhances skeletal health, and improves cognitive function, benefiting youth across various life domains (3, 4). Conversely, inadequate physical activity during adolescence is linked to poor activity patterns in adulthood, which can lead to adverse health outcomes later in life (5). Recent research highlights a global decline in physical activity levels, particularly among young individuals (5). This shift in lifestyle may adversely affect the overall well-being of young people as they transition into adulthood (6). Therefore, it is imperative to promote adherence to physical activity recommendations among youth to mitigate negative consequences in adulthood. Health consequences associated with insufficient physical activity among undergraduate students have been extensively examined in recent years (7, 8). Despite the availability of infrastructure facilities to promote physical activity within university environments, students globally demonstrate low levels of engagement in moderate to vigorous physical activities (9). For example, research in India revealed that approximately 15% of undergraduates were inactive, with a substantial number of college students not participating in even low- or moderate-level physical activities in their daily lives (8). Consistent with this situation, a recent study in Sri Lanka reported that approximately 63% of university students were inactive (10). Smart devices such as advanced home appliances, smartphones, and wearable technology are multifunctional entities that function as communication and computational tools (11). Smartphones and smartwatches have become essential instruments, fulfilling diverse roles in education, communication, entertainment, and health management, thereby providing unparalleled convenience and accessibility. Notably, the utilization of both wearable and nonwearable smart devices is increasingly recognized as a crucial means for monitoring personal health indicators. The global demand for wearable smart devices has experienced substantial growth in recent years (12). Data from the International Data Corporation indicate a remarkable 1,444% surge in the global distribution of activity trackers between 2014 and 2020, with consumer spending reaching approximately USD 2.8 billion in 2020 alone (13). Smartwatches produced by leading manufacturers such as Apple, Fitbit, and Garmin have attained significant market penetration and user adoption (14). These advanced devices are equipped with accelerometers and an array of biosensors, enabling continuous, real-time monitoring of key physiological parameters such as blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and heart rate. The provision of immediate feedback facilitates more effective self-monitoring, thereby supporting individuals in achieving their health and fitness goals (15). The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Action Plan on Physical Activity, which targets a 15% increase in global physical activity levels by 2030, highlights the potential of digital interventions—such as mobile applications and wearable devices such as wrist-worn activity trackers—to facilitate the integration of physical activity into individuals’ daily routines across diverse populations (16). Although concerns have been raised regarding the potential adverse effects of smart technologies, including diminished social interaction, sleep disturbances, cognitive challenges, and the reinforcement of negative behavioral patterns (17), their application in promoting physical activity remains a prominent topic of scholarly and public discourse (18). These technologies offer users the ability to continuously monitor a range of physical activity-related metrics, such as step counts, energy expenditure, sleep duration, and time allocation across various daily activities, thereby supporting more informed and personalized health behaviors. The inherent functionalities of smart devices—such as tailored instructional guidance, exercise demonstrations, real-time performance feedback, goal-setting capabilities, and self-monitoring tools—are pivotal in promoting user engagement in physical activity (19). A growing body of evidence indicates a positive association between the use of such technologies and improved physiological outcomes, including reductions in blood pressure and body mass index, as well as increased levels of physical activity (20, 21). For example, mobile health applications have been widely utilized among young people to support weight loss efforts and enhance participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (19, 22). Research on the integration of smart technologies, such as smartwatches and mobile health applications, for promoting physical activity has expanded considerably in recent years. However, most of these studies have focused on general populations in Western contexts, limiting their applicability to other sociocultural settings (23, 24). Notably, there remains a significant evidence gap regarding the use of such technologies among university students in Sri Lanka. Addressing this gap is essential for informing the design of context-specific interventions that harness smart technology literacy to improve physical health outcomes within this demographic. Accordingly, the present study seeks to examine the relationship between smart device usage and physical activity engagement among undergraduate students at a selected Sri Lankan university. Methods Aim of the study To investigate the relationship between the use of smart devices and physical activity among undergraduates at a selected university in Sri Lanka. Study design A cross-sectional survey was carried out among undergraduates in Sri Lanka over two months (from December 2024 to February 2025). Study population and setting All undergraduates at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka were considered eligible for the data collection process. The Rajarata University of Sri Lanka is a government university catering to nearly three thousand students enrolled in various study programs, such as medical sciences, applied sciences, technology, agriculture, management studies, and social sciences. Students in all the academic years representing the above study programs were invited to participate in this study. Sampling The sample size was calculated via the following formula introduced by Lawanga and Lemeshow in 1991 (25). To calculate the sample percentage of high physical activity among undergraduates, 15.5% (26) was considered the expected prevalence (p), whereas Z 2 = factor corresponding to type 1 error, which was 1.96 (95% CI); precision (d) was considered 0.05. Therefore, the sample size was calculated via the formula n = Z 2 P[1-P]/d 2 , and the calculated sample size was 202; therefore, the final sample size was 224, including an additional 10% of subjects considering the possible dropouts and nonresponse rates during the data collection process. Hence, the required number of study participants was recruited to represent different faculties and study programs. Considering the number of participants in each study program, participants were recruited from each faculty in proportion to its size. Inclusion and exclusion criteria The study included all registered undergraduate students who met the eligibility requirements. Students with self-reported disabilities or physical impairments that would potentially limit their participation in moderate to vigorous physical activities were excluded from the sample. Participant Recruitment Eligible students were systematically recruited through digital invitations distributed via institutional email systems and electronic learning platforms. The online survey form was distributed among students through an academic member from each faculty: the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FoAS), the Faculty of Agriculture (FoA), the Faculty of Management Studies (FoMS), the Faculty of Technology (FoT), the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FoSSH), and the Faculty of Medicine (FoM) of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. The online survey remained active until the predetermined sample size threshold was reached, at which point data collection was concluded. Measurements The study utilized a self-administered online questionnaire (Google Form) to gather demographic and behavioral data from participants. The questionnaire consisted of four distinct sections: an information sheet with a consent form; a demographic section collecting data on age, gender, faculty affiliation, academic year, and monthly household income; a smart device usage section investigating patterns, purposes, and health monitoring applications of smartphones and smartwatches, along with university sports participation; and, finally, the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short version, which consists of seven items that capture self-reported physical activity over the past seven days, including time spent in vigorous and moderate physical activities, walking habits, and sedentary behaviors among participants. The participants were asked to report the frequency (days per week) and duration (minutes per day) of their engagement in each type of activity. Data collection The online survey comprised three languages (English, Tamil, and Sinhala), and participants could select their preferred language to respond to the questionnaire. This web-based questionnaire (Google Forms) was distributed among the study participants through the email network. The questionnaire was pretested with a small sample (n = 16) to ensure the understanding ability and sensitivity of the questions included. Since this was a self-administered questionnaire, each section was comprehensively explained to ensure the accuracy of the responses. Data analysis The data were retrieved from an online questionnaire, organized in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, and subsequently subjected to a cleaning process involving the identification and rectification of missing values and the elimination of duplicate entries. However, there were neither missing values nor duplicate entries. The data were imported into the Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS) version 28.0 to analyze the data. The guidelines for data processing and analysis of the IPAQ–Short Form Questionnaire version 2.0 (Craig, 2003) were used to enter, clean, and interpret the physical activity levels of the study participants. The physical activity data were reported as a continuous score, which is described as the metabolic equivalent task (MET)-minute value. According to the guidelines, participants were categorized into low, moderate, and high physical activity levels according to the MET minutes. Descriptive analysis was employed to extract mean values, standard deviations (SDs), frequencies, and percentages from categorical and continuous variables. The associations between the demographic variables and physical activity outcomes were assessed via the chi-square test. Additionally, a multivariate regression model was used to identify the significant predictors of different levels of physical activity. Results Among the 219 respondents to the study, 59.8% were female, and 49.3% were in the 23–25 age range. The Faculty of Applied Sciences had the highest survey participation rate, with 44.3% of study participants in their first academic year and 36.5% of participants in the high-income category. Among smartphone users, 59.8% regularly downloaded mobile applications, whereas 38.8% of users had health-related applications on their phones. A total of 18.3% of individuals used smartphones to monitor their health, with 16.0% relying on step counts and 12.3% utilizing mobile applications to track their heart rates. Furthermore, 32.4% of the participants used smartwatches, 84.5% of them utilized them as fashionable items, and 15.5% used them to measure their health. Only one-third (31.0%) of smartwatch users tracked health indicators such as heart rate (60%), blood pressure (72%), and caloric intake (63.6%). Table 1 General information of the study participants (n = 219) Characteristics Frequency Number (%) General characteristics Gender Male 88 40.2 Female 131 59.8 Age group (years) 18–20 38 17.4 20–23 60 27.4 23–25 108 49.3 > 25 13 5.9 Faculty Applied Sciences 74 33.8 Agriculture Sciences 33 15.1 Social Sciences and Humanities 32 14.6 Technology 45 20.5 Management Sciences 35 16.0 Academic Year First year 97 44.3 Second year 25 11.4 Third year 67 30.6 Fourth year 30 13.7 Average monthly income (LKR) 400000 80 36.5 Using Smart devices Using a smartphone 219 100 Downloading mobile Applications to the phone 131 59.8 Downloading health-measuring applications 85 38.8 Measuring health using applications 40 18.3 Health indicators that you measure using a smartphone No measuring 147 67.1 Step count 35 16.0 Heart rate 27 12.3 Blood pressure 10 4.6 Using a smartwatch 71 32.4 The main purpose of using a smartwatch As a fashionable item 60 84.5 As a health measuring device 11 15.5 The frequency of downloading health-measuring applications to the smartwatch Not in use 148 67.6 Yes 14 6.4 No 57 26.0 Measuring health status through a smartwatch 22 31.0 What type of health indicators do you measure using a smartphone Step count 22 100 Heart rate 13 60.0 Blood pressure 16 72.0 Calories count 14 63.6 Table 1 presents the demographic characteristics of the study participants. frequencies, and percentages for variables with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), using a significance level of p < 0.05 Table 2 shows that 16.9% of the students were found to have engaged in university sports. Nonetheless, most participants (68.0%) did not participate in physically demanding activities, whereas 16.9% of them participated twice a week. Eighty-nine percent of the individuals did not engage in moderate physical activity, and 35% of them only participated in moderate physical activity once a week. Nonetheless, most undergraduates attended every day throughout the previous week (42.0%). Table 2 Self-reported physical activity characteristics of the study participants (n = 219) Characteristics Frequency Number % Participating in sports at the university 37 16.9 Frequently visiting the university sports complex for physical activities 22 10.0 Engaging in vigorous physical activities (activities that take hard physical effort and make you breathe much harder than normal) During the last 7 days No vigorous activities 149 68.0 One day 25 11.4 Two days 37 16.9 Three days 08 3.7 Engaging with moderate physical activities (take moderate physical effort and make you breathe somewhat harder than normal) During the last 7 days No moderate activities 176 80.4 One day 34 15.5 Two days 09 4.1 Walking during the last 7 days One day 08 5.8 Two days 25 11.4 Three days 15 6.8 Four days 22 10 Five days 31 14.2 Six days 26 11.8 Seven days 92 42.0 Table 2 presents the frequencies of the physical activity patterns of the study participants. frequencies, and percentages for variables with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), using a significance level of p < 0.05. The mean weekly METs for vigorous, moderate, and walking activities were calculated as 854, 203.1, and 1062, respectively. This analysis revealed that survey respondents categorized as highly physically active predominantly fell within the 18–20 age group, accounting for 50% of this cohort, whereas the low-activity group primarily comprised individuals aged 23 years or older. Although females were more represented in the low-intensity physical activity category than males were, they showed relatively greater participation in moderate- and high-intensity physical activities than their male counterparts did. Furthermore, it was observed that students in their first academic year were less active, whereas participation in moderate- and high-intensity physical activities improved as the academic year progressed. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between academic years (P < 0.05, 95% CI). Furthermore, of those who used a smartwatch, 17.9% engaged in high-level physical activity, whereas 38.5% engaged in low-level physical activity (Table 3 ). Table 3 IPAQ- short-form physical activity level among undergraduate students (n = 219) Characteristic Low N (%) Moderate N (%) High N (%) p Age 18–20 11 (8.9) 23 (37.7) 13 (50.0) 0.000 21–23 25 (19.2) 25 (41.0) 10 (35.7) > 23 94 (72.3) 13 (21.3) 04 (13.7) Gender Male 54 (41.5) 23 (37.7) 11 (39.8) 0.026 Female 76 (58.5) 38 (62.3) 17 (60.7) Faculty FoAS 39 (30.0) 24 (39.3) 11 (39.3) 0.793 FoA 23 (17.7) 7 (11.5) 3 (10.7) FoSCH 20 (15.4) 10 (16.4) 2 (7.1) FoT 27 (20.8) 11 (18.0) 7 (25.0) FoM 21 (16.2) 9 (14.8) 5 (17.9) Academic year 1st year 65 (50.0) 24 (39.3) 8 (28.6) 0.015 2nd year 19 (14.6) 2 (3.3) 4 (14.3) 3rd year 31 (23.8) 26 (42.6) 10 (35.7) 4th year 15 (11.5) 9 (14.8) 6 (21.4) Using a smartphone Yes 130 (100) 61 (100) 28 (100) Measuring health status using a smartphone Yes 20 (15.4) 16 (26.2) 05 (17.9) 0.182 No 110(84.6) 45 (73.8) 23 (82.1) Using a smartwatch Yes 50 (38.5) 16 (26.2) 5 (17.9) 0.032 No 80 (61.5) 45 (73.8) 23 (82.1) Measuring health status through a smartwatch Yes 17 (13.1) 4 (6.6) 1 (3.6) No 33 (25.4) 12 (19.7) 4 (14.3) Table 3 presents the distribution of the frequencies of activity levels described by the IPAQ (short-form) against the general and behavioral characteristics of the study participants. frequencies, and percentages for variables with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), using a significance level of p < 0.05. The study participants' sedentary behavior is shown in Table 4 . The results indicate that senior undergraduates were more sedentary, with most of them spending five to eight hours a day inactive. FoAS accounted for 33.3% of the students who reported spending five to eight hours sedentary, whereas FoSCH accounted for the lowest percentage, at 13.3%. The use of smartwatches by undergraduates was shown to be significantly (p 8 hours (%) p Age 18–20 25 (30.9) 22 (28.3) 14 (36.8) 0.048 21–23 19 (23.5) 32 (26.7) 9 (50.0) > 23 37 (45.7) 66 (55.0) 5 (27.8) Gender Male 2 (2.5) 15 (12.5) 0.15 Female 79 (97.5) 105 (87.5) 18 (100) Faculty FoAS 20 (34.6) 40 (33.3) 6 (33.3) 0.853 FoA 9 (11.1) 22 (18.3) 2 (11.1) FoSCH 12 (14.8) 16 (13.3) 4 (22.2) FoT 16 (19.8) 25 (28.8) 4 (22.2) FoM 16 (19.8) 17 (14.2) 2 (11.1) Academic year 1st year 34 (42.0) 52 (43.3) 11 (61.1) 0.669 2nd year 8 (9.9) 16 (13.3) 3rd year 28 (34.6) 34 (28.3) 7 (38.9) 4th year 11 (13.6) 18 (15.0) Using a smartphone Yes 81 (100.0) 120 (100) 18 (100) Measuring health status using a smartphone Yes 21 (29.5) 17 (14.2) 2 (11.1) 0.076 No 60 (74.1) 103 (85.8) 16 (88.9) Using a smartwatch Yes 21 (25.9) 43 (35.8) 7 (38.9) 0.281 No 60 (74.1) 77 (64.2) 11 (61.1) Measuring health status through a smartwatch Not in use 60 (74.1) 77 (64.2) 11 (61.1) 0.772 Yes 6 (7.4) 16 (13.3) 0 (0.0) No 15 (8.5) 27 (22.5) 7 (38.9) Table 4 presents the distribution of study participants according to their sedentary hours and demographic and behavioral characteristics. frequencies, and percentages for variables with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), using a significance level of p < 0.05. According to the chi-square test results, first-year students were 1.8 times more likely to engage in an active lifestyle than students in other academic years were (OR = 1.8, 95% CI, p < 0.05). Moreover, individuals who used smartphone applications to monitor their health reported that the odds of being active as nonsmartwatch users were 6.2 (OR = 6.2, 95% CI, p < 0.05). Additionally, survey respondents using smartwatches were 5.4 times more likely to be physically active than their counterparts were (OR = 5.41, 95% CI, p < 0.05). Similarly, those utilizing smartphones to assess health indicators were three times more likely to be active (OR = 3.48, 95% CI, p < 0.05) (Table 5 ). Table 5 Relationships between selected independent variables and physical activity among undergraduates (n = 219) Characteristics Active (%) OR df P High income 92.1 0.240 1 0.624 Being in the first academic year 32.0 4.258 1 0.039 Being a science stream (Yes) 70.8 0.135 1 0.713 Measuring health through a smartphone 22.5 1.86 1 0.389 Using a smartwatch 21.3 6.204 1 0.021 Using the Smartwatch as a health-measuring tool 26.3 5.41 1 0.026 Measuring health through a smartwatch 5.6 3.48 1 0.022 Table 5 presents the chi-square test results between the selected independent variables and the activity level of the study participants. OR: odds ratio. Table 6 summarizes the results of multivariate regression analysis between adjusted factors such as age, gender, education level, academic year, and income. The first model revealed that students who used smartwatches as health measurement objects were 3.3 times more likely to complete vigorous activities (OR = 3.3, 95%, CI: 1.08–4.62, p < 0.05), whereas Model two indicated that survey respondents who used mobile applications to evaluate their health were 1.4 times more likely (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 0.823–2.28, p < 0.05) to participate in moderate activities than respondents who did not use these tools were. Model three shows that using a smartwatch to measure health is associated with 4.2 fold greater odds of engaging with walking (OR = 4.27, 95% CI: 2.83–7.62, p < 0.05). Model 4, which considers the total amount of activity, shows that measuring health status via a smartwatch (OR = 1.701, 95% CI: 1.11–2.62, p < 0.05) and being active overall were significantly correlated. Undergraduates who used a smartwatch as a health device were 1.9 times more likely (95% CI: 1.06–2.86, p < 0.05) to be active than those who used it as a fashionable item. Table 6 Multivariate regression analysis between the adjusted factors and the activity level of the study participants (n = 219) Characteristics B S.E AOR β P 95% CI Upper Lower Model 1- engaging with vigorous activities Wearing a smartwatch as a health-measuring device 1.197 1.133 3.310 -0.77 0.013 1.83 5.95 Measuring health using a smartwatch 0.479 0.773 1.614 -0.76 0.032 0.355 7.328 Model 2 – Engaging with moderate physical activities Measuring health by using mobile apps 0.570 0.390 1.469 -0.72 0.028 0.823 2.280 Measuring health through a smartwatch 0.166 0.418 1.218 -0.68 0.026 0.521 2.679 Model 3- Walking Using the smartwatch as a health-measuring device 1.452 1.587 4.272 -0.79 0.036 2.26 6.91 Measuring health through a smartwatch 1.048 0.429 2.852 -0.56 0.028 1.231 6.606 Model 4: overall activity level Measuring health through a smartwatch 0.531 0.305 1.701 -0.46 0.032 1.06 2.47 Using a smartwatch as a health-measuring device 0.671 0.332 1.957 -0.69 0.043 1.02 2.86 Table 6 presents the multivariate regression analysis between the selected factors and the activity level of the study participants. Model 1, Model 2, Model 3, and Model 4 indicate students engaging in vigorous, moderate, walking, and overall activity levels, respectively. CI- confidence intervals and 95% confidence intervals, S.E. – standard error, AOR- adjusted odds ratio, B- unstandardized coefficient, and β- standardized coefficient. Discussion This study represents the first known attempt to investigate the relationship between smart device usage and engagement in an active lifestyle among undergraduate students in Sri Lanka. The findings indicate that all participants owned smartphones, whereas slightly more than one-third reported using smartwatches. Among the survey population, approximately 20% used mobile applications to monitor health-related behaviors, whereas only one-third of smartwatch users engaged with the fitness tracking features of their devices. However, many smartwatch users perceive their devices primarily as fashion accessories rather than tools for health monitoring. The study also revealed that participants spent between five and eight hours per day engaging in sedentary behavior, with most failing to meet the recommended guidelines for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Despite these trends, the results suggest that smart technologies can promote more active lifestyles. Individuals in the study who utilized health monitoring applications were more likely to increase their walking frequency and report higher levels of MVPA. The findings of this study revealed that although a relatively small proportion of participants used smartwatches, the majority relied on smartphones. This observation is consistent with previous research indicating a widespread global affinity for smart devices among university students (27–29). However, despite high ownership rates, only a limited number of participants reported using their smart devices for health monitoring purposes. This result aligns with findings from a study conducted among medical students in Ethiopia, where approximately one-third reported using mobile health applications (30). Similarly, (31) reported that while most undergraduates use mobile applications for social networking and general utilities, only a small subset utilizes them for health tracking. Furthermore, the present study highlights the potential of smartwatches for health monitoring, contrasting with findings from some previous studies that emphasized the role of wearable devices in enhancing academic performance among undergraduate students (32). In alignment with other research, however, a recent study (33) reported that university students primarily used wearable devices to monitor physiological indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, sleep patterns, and step count—findings that are consistent with those of the current study. Notably, a significant proportion of participants in this study reported using wearable devices, primarily as fashion accessories. This contrasts with evidence from Western contexts, where students were more likely to use wearable technology for activity tracking, followed by dietary and weight monitoring purposes (34). These discrepancies may reflect differences in cultural norms, prevailing lifestyle trends, levels of smart technology literacy, and perceptions regarding the health-related benefits of wearable devices. The findings of the current study indicate that more than half of the participants engaged in minimal or no physical activity, whereas slightly more than 10% reported participation in vigorous physical activity. These results are consistent with previous research on Sri Lankan university students (26) and with findings from studies conducted in other international contexts (35, 36). However, in contrast to the present study, recent studies involving undergraduates in China (37), India (8), and the Philippines (38) reported higher rates of engagement in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). These discrepancies may be attributed to variations in participant demographics, as well as broader cultural and environmental influences. For example, the university in which the present study was conducted is in Sri Lanka’s dry zone, where high ambient temperatures may act as a deterrent to engaging in strenuous physical activity. Additionally, academic pressures and limited access to recreational facilities may further inhibit student participation in physical activity. Notably, a considerable proportion of the respondents were first-year students, who may face more intensive academic demands than their senior peers do, potentially reducing their time and motivation for regular exercise. The present study revealed that participants exhibited both high levels of sedentary behavior and low levels of physical activity. More than half of the respondents reported engaging in sedentary activities for five to eight hours per day. This finding is consistent with prior research (39), which documented an average sedentary time of 7.92 hours among university students, representing approximately 39% of the sample. Similarly, another survey (40) reported an average of 7.25 hours of sedentary behavior among 42% of German undergraduates. The results of the current study also align with national data on Sri Lankan university students (26). Multiple factors, including individual characteristics, socioenvironmental influences, and institutional structures, may contribute to increased sedentary time (39). Notably, academic demands have been identified as a significant barrier to physical activity engagement among university students (40), potentially reinforcing sedentary lifestyles within this population. Previous research has documented the adverse effects of smart device usage on physical activity levels among university students, with some studies suggesting that these technologies contribute to increasingly sedentary lifestyles (41, 42). Nonetheless, other studies have highlighted that students also recognize the potential of smart technologies to support physical well-being (43, 44). Although a substantial proportion of participants in the present study reported using smartphones and wearable devices, relatively few engaged with health-related applications to monitor their well-being. Importantly, this study revealed a significant positive correlation between the use of smart technologies and engagement in MVPA, particularly among individuals who actively tracked their health metrics. Students who reported regular walking and participation in MVPA were more likely to use smart devices and associated applications for fitness tracking, a finding that is consistent with previous research demonstrating a strong association between smart device use and the monitoring of health indicators among university students (33, 45). However, the directionality of this relationship remains unclear. It is plausible that students who are already physically active are more inclined to adopt smart technologies to support their existing healthy routines. Conversely, it is equally likely that the use of smart devices exerts a motivational influence, encouraging users to initiate or maintain physical activity behaviors. This interpretation is supported by earlier findings that emphasize the importance of self-monitoring and real-time feedback in sustaining physical activity among smart device users (45). Moreover, smart technologies often allow users to share progress through social networks, thereby enhancing accountability and motivation. The integration of these technologies into fitness routines can also enhance user engagement by making physical activity more interactive and enjoyable (46). One of the primary strengths of this study is its pioneering investigation into the relationship between smart device usage and physical activity among Sri Lankan undergraduates. This novel contribution provides a foundation for future research exploring the potential of smart technologies to promote healthier behaviors within the university student population. Additionally, the findings suggest that smart devices, such as smartwatches and smartphones, can effectively motivate students to engage in physical activity. In addition to their immediate impact on physical health, smart devices also have broader implications for the academic community. They offer significant potential not only for educational purposes but also for enhancing digital literacy and increasing the appeal of technology-driven initiatives that encourage active lifestyles. Furthermore, the study employed the validated IPAQ-Short Form to assess physical activity levels, thereby ensuring the reliability and sensitivity of the data collected. Future research should address the limitations of the present study to increase the depth and applicability of its findings. First, as the survey sample was drawn from a single university in Sri Lanka, the results may not be generalizable to the broader student population. Therefore, subsequent studies should aim to recruit more diverse and representative samples to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between smart device usage and physical activity. Second, this study did not account for several potential factors that could influence students' engagement in physical activity. Variables such as environmental conditions, cultural influences, and individual physical characteristics are likely to play a significant role in determining activity levels. Future research should integrate these factors to develop a more nuanced and holistic understanding of how smart devices affect university students' physical activity. Third, a methodological limitation of this study was the reliance on an online data collection platform (Google Sheets), which may have introduced inconsistencies or contributed to potential overestimation in the responses provided by participants. In addition, although the online version of the IPAQ-Short Form has been validated in international contexts, it has not been validated for the Sri Lankan setting. To improve data accuracy and reliability, future studies should consider employing in-person interviews or a hybrid data collection approach. Conclusion and recommendations The findings of this study indicate that a significant proportion of survey respondents fail to consistently meet recommended daily physical activity guidelines, with many exhibiting a sedentary lifestyle. Although many participants reported using smart devices such as smartphones and smartwatches, only a small percentage actively utilized these technologies for health monitoring. Among those who did, the most tracked health indicators were blood pressure, heart rate, and step count. These results underscore the potential of smart devices as effective tools for encouraging physical activity among university students. Furthermore, the use of smart devices to monitor health was associated with increased motivation to engage in walking and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. This study highlights the pivotal role of smart technology in promoting physical activity within the university student population. Considering these findings, it is recommended that targeted interventions be developed to increase students' technological literacy, with a focus on promoting positive behavioral changes. Such initiatives should aim to equip students with the skills and knowledge to effectively utilize smart devices in support of their health and well-being. Abbreviations IPAQ International Physical Activity Questionnaire WHO World Health Organization FoAS Faculty of Applied Sciences FoA Faculty of Agriculture FoMS Faculty of Management Studies FoT Faculty of Technology FoSSH Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities FoM Faculty of Medicine SPSS Statistical Package for Social Science MET Metabolic Equivalent Task MVPA Moderate to Vigorous physical activity Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate This study was reviewed by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, under the reference number [ERC/2024/11]. All procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments Informed consent was obtained from all participants before their inclusion in the study. Participants were provided an information sheet that included the procedure of the research and informed about the purpose of the study, their right to withdraw at any time, and the measures taken to ensure confidentiality and anonymity. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no relevant financial or nonfinancial interests. Funding The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support was received during the preparation of this manuscript. Author Contribution C.S, S.S, and A.W contributed to the conceptualization, material preparation, data collection, and analysis. C S prepared the first draft of the manuscript, and R.M., K.M., L.S, and M.F. performed the investigation and review. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript. Acknowledgement The authors of this study would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Rajarata University of Sri Lanka for support in conducting this research. The appreciation is also extended to all the undergraduates who participated in this survey. Data Availability The dataset used for the analysis and data collection tools can be accessed through the online repository. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/15-Bw7jITiNfE1n0JfUxvj3m9SwN_gCxM/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=100591472960429559058&rtpof=true&sd=true) References WHO. Physical Activity: Benefits of physical activity and risks of sedentary behavior and inactivity. 2024.Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical- activity. Accessed Jan 12 2025. MacIntosh BR, Murias JM, Keir DA, Weir JM. What Is Moderate to Vigorous Exercise Intensity?. Frontiers in Physiology. 2021; 12. Doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.682233. Hillman CH, Pontifex BM, Castelli DM, Khan NA, Raine LB. Effects of the FITKids Randomized Controlled Trial on Executive Control and Brain Function. Pediatrics. 2014; 134(4):e1063–e71. Doi:10.1542/peds.2013-3219. 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Utilization of mobile health applications and determinant factors among health science students at Debre Markos University, northwest Ethiopia in 2022. PLoS One.2023; 18(7):e0275689. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0275689. Devasirvadam SV. The effect of smartphone use on student health status. International Journal of Health Sciences 2022; 6 (3):pp.7348-58. doi:10.53730/ijhs.v6ns3.7677. Herrera-Alcántara O, Barrera-Animas AY, González-Mendoza M, Castro-Espinoza F. Monitoring Student Activities with Smartwatches: On the Academic Performance Enhancement. Sensors.2019; 19(7):1605. Doi:10.3390/s19071605. Ráthonyi G. Wearable Activity Trackers Usage among University Students. European Journal of Contemporary Education. 2019;8(3):600 − 12. Doi:10.13187/ejced.2019.3.600. Bardus M, Borgi C, El-Harakeh M, Gherbal T, Kharroubi S, Fares E-J. Exploring the Use of Mobile and Wearable Technology among University Student Athletes in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study. Sensors. 2021; 21(13):4472. doi:10.3390/s21134472. Alhammad SA, Almutairi FM, Bajsair AS, Alghamdi AS, Algarni FS, Aldaihan MM, et al. Physical activity levels among undergraduate students at the College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh: A prevalence study. Medicine. 2023;102(48). Doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036386. Alkhawaldeh A, Abdalrahim A, ALBashtawy M, Ayed A, Al Omari O, ALBashtawy Sd, et al. University Students’ Physical Activity: Perceived Barriers and Benefits to Physical Activity and Its Contributing Factors. SAGE Open Nursing. 2024; 10:23779608241240490. Doi:10.1177/23779608241240490. Pan M, Ying B, Lai Y, Kuan G. Status and Influencing Factors of Physical Exercise among College Students in China: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(20):13465. Doi:10.3390/ijerph192013465. Pituk CS, Cagas JY. Physical activity and physical fitness among filipino university students. The Journal of Physical Education. 2019; 30: e3076. doi:10.4025/jphyseduc.v30i1.3076. Castro O, Bennie J, Vergeer I, Bosselut G, Biddle SJH. How Sedentary Are University Students? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Prevention Science. 2020; 21(3):332 − 43. doi:10.1007/s11121-020-01093-8. Edelmann D. et al. Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in University Students–The role of Gender, age, field of study, Targeted degree, and Study Semester. Frontiers in Public Health. 2022; 16: 10:821703. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.821703. Guo KL. et al. The relationship between physical exercise and mobile phone addiction tendency of university students in China: a moderated mediation model. Frontiers in Psychology. 2022; 13: doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.730886. Han Y, Qin G, Han S, Ke Y, Meng S, Tong W, et al. Effect of Mobile Phone Addiction on Physical Exercise in University Students: Moderating Effect of Peer Relationships. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(3):2685. Doi:10.3390/ijerph20032685. Dennison L, Morrison L, Conway G, Yardley L. Opportunities and Challenges for Smartphone Applications in Supporting Health Behavior Change: Qualitative Study. J Med internet Res. 2013; 15(4):e86. Doi;10.2196/jmir.2583. Gowin M, Marshall C, Shannon G, and Franklin Wann T. Health and Fitness App Use in College Students: A Qualitative Study. American Journal of Health Education. 2015; 46(4):223 − 30. doi:10.1080/19325037.2015.1044140. Ansari FS, Alfayez A, Alsalman D, Alanezi F, Alhodaib H, Al-Rayes S, et al. Using mobile health applications to enhance physical activity in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study on users’ perceptions. International Health. 2022; 15(1):47–55. doi:10.1093/inthealth/ihac008. Oyibo K, Wang K, Morita PP. Using Smart Home Technologies to Promote Physical Activity Among the General and Aging Populations: Scoping Review. J Med internet Res.2023; 25:e41942. Doi:10.2196/41942. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Dataset.sav Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 22 Oct, 2025 Reviews received at journal 08 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 22 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Jul, 2025 Reviews received at journal 18 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Jul, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 17 Jul, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 24 Jun, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 24 Jun, 2025 First submitted to journal 19 Jun, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), characterized by significant exertion and progressively increasing breathing intensity, is widely advocated for its health benefits (2). Regular physical activity fosters optimal well-being, enhances skeletal health, and improves cognitive function, benefiting youth across various life domains (3, 4). Conversely, inadequate physical activity during adolescence is linked to poor activity patterns in adulthood, which can lead to adverse health outcomes later in life (5). Recent research highlights a global decline in physical activity levels, particularly among young individuals (5). This shift in lifestyle may adversely affect the overall well-being of young people as they transition into adulthood (6). Therefore, it is imperative to promote adherence to physical activity recommendations among youth to mitigate negative consequences in adulthood.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHealth consequences associated with insufficient physical activity among undergraduate students have been extensively examined in recent years (7, 8). Despite the availability of infrastructure facilities to promote physical activity within university environments, students globally demonstrate low levels of engagement in moderate to vigorous physical activities (9). For example, research in India revealed that approximately 15% of undergraduates were inactive, with a substantial number of college students not participating in even low- or moderate-level physical activities in their daily lives (8). Consistent with this situation, a recent study in Sri Lanka reported that approximately 63% of university students were inactive (10).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmart devices such as advanced home appliances, smartphones, and wearable technology are multifunctional entities that function as communication and computational tools (11). Smartphones and smartwatches have become essential instruments, fulfilling diverse roles in education, communication, entertainment, and health management, thereby providing unparalleled convenience and accessibility. Notably, the utilization of both wearable and nonwearable smart devices is increasingly recognized as a crucial means for monitoring personal health indicators.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe global demand for wearable smart devices has experienced substantial growth in recent years (12). Data from the International Data Corporation indicate a remarkable 1,444% surge in the global distribution of activity trackers between 2014 and 2020, with consumer spending reaching approximately USD 2.8\u0026nbsp;billion in 2020 alone (13). Smartwatches produced by leading manufacturers such as Apple, Fitbit, and Garmin have attained significant market penetration and user adoption (14). These advanced devices are equipped with accelerometers and an array of biosensors, enabling continuous, real-time monitoring of key physiological parameters such as blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and heart rate. The provision of immediate feedback facilitates more effective self-monitoring, thereby supporting individuals in achieving their health and fitness goals (15).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe World Health Organization\u0026rsquo;s (WHO) Global Action Plan on Physical Activity, which targets a 15% increase in global physical activity levels by 2030, highlights the potential of digital interventions\u0026mdash;such as mobile applications and wearable devices such as wrist-worn activity trackers\u0026mdash;to facilitate the integration of physical activity into individuals\u0026rsquo; daily routines across diverse populations (16). Although concerns have been raised regarding the potential adverse effects of smart technologies, including diminished social interaction, sleep disturbances, cognitive challenges, and the reinforcement of negative behavioral patterns (17), their application in promoting physical activity remains a prominent topic of scholarly and public discourse (18). These technologies offer users the ability to continuously monitor a range of physical activity-related metrics, such as step counts, energy expenditure, sleep duration, and time allocation across various daily activities, thereby supporting more informed and personalized health behaviors.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe inherent functionalities of smart devices\u0026mdash;such as tailored instructional guidance, exercise demonstrations, real-time performance feedback, goal-setting capabilities, and self-monitoring tools\u0026mdash;are pivotal in promoting user engagement in physical activity (19). A growing body of evidence indicates a positive association between the use of such technologies and improved physiological outcomes, including reductions in blood pressure and body mass index, as well as increased levels of physical activity (20, 21). For example, mobile health applications have been widely utilized among young people to support weight loss efforts and enhance participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (19, 22).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eResearch on the integration of smart technologies, such as smartwatches and mobile health applications, for promoting physical activity has expanded considerably in recent years. However, most of these studies have focused on general populations in Western contexts, limiting their applicability to other sociocultural settings (23, 24). Notably, there remains a significant evidence gap regarding the use of such technologies among university students in Sri Lanka. Addressing this gap is essential for informing the design of context-specific interventions that harness smart technology literacy to improve physical health outcomes within this demographic. Accordingly, the present study seeks to examine the relationship between smart device usage and physical activity engagement among undergraduate students at a selected Sri Lankan university.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAim of the study\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo investigate the relationship between the use of smart devices and physical activity among undergraduates at a selected university in Sri Lanka.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy design\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cross-sectional survey was carried out among undergraduates in Sri Lanka over two months (from December 2024 to February 2025).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy population and setting\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll undergraduates at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka were considered eligible for the data collection process. The Rajarata University of Sri Lanka is a government university catering to nearly three thousand students enrolled in various study programs, such as medical sciences, applied sciences, technology, agriculture, management studies, and social sciences. Students in all the academic years representing the above study programs were invited to participate in this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSampling\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sample size was calculated via the following formula introduced by Lawanga and Lemeshow in 1991 (25). To calculate the sample percentage of high physical activity among undergraduates, 15.5% (26) was considered the expected prevalence (p), whereas Z\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;factor corresponding to type 1 error, which was 1.96 (95% CI); precision (d) was considered 0.05. Therefore, the sample size was calculated via the formula n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Z\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e P[1-P]/d\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, and the calculated sample size was 202; therefore, the final sample size was 224, including an additional 10% of subjects considering the possible dropouts and nonresponse rates during the data collection process. Hence, the required number of study participants was recruited to represent different faculties and study programs. Considering the number of participants in each study program, participants were recruited from each faculty in proportion to its size.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eInclusion and exclusion criteria\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study included all registered undergraduate students who met the eligibility requirements. Students with self-reported disabilities or physical impairments that would potentially limit their participation in moderate to vigorous physical activities were excluded from the sample.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eParticipant Recruitment\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEligible students were systematically recruited through digital invitations distributed via institutional email systems and electronic learning platforms. The online survey form was distributed among students through an academic member from each faculty: the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FoAS), the Faculty of Agriculture (FoA), the Faculty of Management Studies (FoMS), the Faculty of Technology (FoT), the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FoSSH), and the Faculty of Medicine (FoM) of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. The online survey remained active until the predetermined sample size threshold was reached, at which point data collection was concluded.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMeasurements\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study utilized a self-administered online questionnaire (Google Form) to gather demographic and behavioral data from participants. The questionnaire consisted of four distinct sections: an information sheet with a consent form; a demographic section collecting data on age, gender, faculty affiliation, academic year, and monthly household income; a smart device usage section investigating patterns, purposes, and health monitoring applications of smartphones and smartwatches, along with university sports participation; and, finally, the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short version, which consists of seven items that capture self-reported physical activity over the past seven days, including time spent in vigorous and moderate physical activities, walking habits, and sedentary behaviors among participants. The participants were asked to report the frequency (days per week) and duration (minutes per day) of their engagement in each type of activity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eData collection\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe online survey comprised three languages (English, Tamil, and Sinhala), and participants could select their preferred language to respond to the questionnaire. This web-based questionnaire (Google Forms) was distributed among the study participants through the email network. The questionnaire was pretested with a small sample (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;16) to ensure the understanding ability and sensitivity of the questions included. Since this was a self-administered questionnaire, each section was comprehensively explained to ensure the accuracy of the responses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe data were retrieved from an online questionnaire, organized in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, and subsequently subjected to a cleaning process involving the identification and rectification of missing values and the elimination of duplicate entries. However, there were neither missing values nor duplicate entries. The data were imported into the Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS) version 28.0 to analyze the data. The guidelines for data processing and analysis of the IPAQ\u0026ndash;Short Form Questionnaire version 2.0 (Craig, 2003) were used to enter, clean, and interpret the physical activity levels of the study participants. The physical activity data were reported as a continuous score, which is described as the metabolic equivalent task (MET)-minute value. According to the guidelines, participants were categorized into low, moderate, and high physical activity levels according to the MET minutes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDescriptive analysis was employed to extract mean values, standard deviations (SDs), frequencies, and percentages from categorical and continuous variables. The associations between the demographic variables and physical activity outcomes were assessed via the chi-square test. Additionally, a multivariate regression model was used to identify the significant predictors of different levels of physical activity.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eAmong the 219 respondents to the study, 59.8% were female, and 49.3% were in the 23\u0026ndash;25 age range. The Faculty of Applied Sciences had the highest survey participation rate, with 44.3% of study participants in their first academic year and 36.5% of participants in the high-income category. Among smartphone users, 59.8% regularly downloaded mobile applications, whereas 38.8% of users had health-related applications on their phones. A total of 18.3% of individuals used smartphones to monitor their health, with 16.0% relying on step counts and 12.3% utilizing mobile applications to track their heart rates. Furthermore, 32.4% of the participants used smartwatches, 84.5% of them utilized them as fashionable items, and 15.5% used them to measure their health. Only one-third (31.0%) of smartwatch users tracked health indicators such as heart rate (60%), blood pressure (72%), and caloric intake (63.6%).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGeneral information of the study participants (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;219)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" morerows=\"1\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharacteristics\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNumber\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeneral characteristics\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e131\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e59.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAge group (years)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23\u0026ndash;25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e108\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFaculty\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eApplied Sciences\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAgriculture Sciences\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSocial Sciences and Humanities\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTechnology\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eManagement Sciences\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcademic Year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirst year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e97\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSecond year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThird year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFourth year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAverage monthly income (LKR)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;10000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10001\u0026ndash;20000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20001\u0026ndash;30000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30001\u0026ndash;40000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;400000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eUsing Smart devices\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsing a smartphone\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e219\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDownloading mobile Applications to the phone\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e131\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e59.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDownloading health-measuring applications\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasuring health using applications\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHealth indicators that you measure using a smartphone\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo measuring\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e147\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e67.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStep count\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeart rate\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlood pressure\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsing a smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e71\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe main purpose of using a smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a fashionable item\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e84.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a health measuring device\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe frequency of downloading health-measuring applications to the smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot in use\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e148\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e67.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasuring health status through a smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat type of health indicators do you measure using a smartphone\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStep count\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeart rate\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlood pressure\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCalories count\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e63.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e \u003cem\u003epresents the demographic characteristics of the study participants. frequencies, and percentages for variables with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), using a significance level of p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e shows that 16.9% of the students were found to have engaged in university sports. Nonetheless, most participants (68.0%) did not participate in physically demanding activities, whereas 16.9% of them participated twice a week. Eighty-nine percent of the individuals did not engage in moderate physical activity, and 35% of them only participated in moderate physical activity once a week. Nonetheless, most undergraduates attended every day throughout the previous week (42.0%).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSelf-reported physical activity characteristics of the study participants (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;219)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" morerows=\"1\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharacteristics\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNumber\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e%\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eParticipating in sports at the university\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrequently visiting the university sports complex for physical activities\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEngaging in vigorous physical activities \u003cem\u003e(activities that take hard physical effort and make you breathe\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003emuch harder than normal)\u003c/em\u003e During the last 7 days\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo vigorous activities\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e149\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e68.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne day\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwo days\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThree days\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEngaging with moderate physical activities (take moderate physical effort and make you breathe\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003esomewhat harder than normal) During the last 7 days\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo moderate activities\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e176\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne day\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwo days\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWalking during the last 7 days\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne day\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwo days\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThree days\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFour days\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFive days\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSix days\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeven days\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e \u003cem\u003epresents the frequencies of the physical activity patterns of the study participants. frequencies, and percentages for variables with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), using a significance level of p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe mean weekly METs for vigorous, moderate, and walking activities were calculated as 854, 203.1, and 1062, respectively. This analysis revealed that survey respondents categorized as highly physically active predominantly fell within the 18\u0026ndash;20 age group, accounting for 50% of this cohort, whereas the low-activity group primarily comprised individuals aged 23 years or older. Although females were more represented in the low-intensity physical activity category than males were, they showed relatively greater participation in moderate- and high-intensity physical activities than their male counterparts did. Furthermore, it was observed that students in their first academic year were less active, whereas participation in moderate- and high-intensity physical activities improved as the academic year progressed. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between academic years (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05, 95% CI). Furthermore, of those who used a smartwatch, 17.9% engaged in high-level physical activity, whereas 38.5% engaged in low-level physical activity (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIPAQ- short-form physical activity level among undergraduate students (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;219)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharacteristic\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLow\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eN (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eModerate\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eN (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eN (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11 (8.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23 (37.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13 (50.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21\u0026ndash;23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25 (19.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25 (41.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10 (35.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e94 (72.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13 (21.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e04 (13.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54 (41.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23 (37.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11 (39.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.026\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76 (58.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38 (62.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17 (60.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFaculty\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39 (30.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24 (39.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11 (39.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.793\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23 (17.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7 (11.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 (10.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoSCH\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20 (15.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10 (16.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 (7.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27 (20.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11 (18.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7 (25.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21 (16.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (14.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5 (17.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcademic year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1st year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e65 (50.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24 (39.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8 (28.6)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.015\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2nd year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19 (14.6)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 (3.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4 (14.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3rd year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31 (23.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26 (42.6)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10 (35.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4th year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15 (11.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (14.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6 (21.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsing a smartphone\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e130 (100)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61 (100)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28 (100)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasuring health status using a smartphone\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20 (15.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 (26.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e05 (17.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.182\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e110(84.6)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45 (73.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23 (82.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsing a smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50 (38.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 (26.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5 (17.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.032\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80 (61.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45 (73.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23 (82.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasuring health status through a smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17 (13.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4 (6.6)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1 (3.6)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33 (25.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12 (19.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4 (14.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e \u003cem\u003epresents the distribution of the frequencies of activity levels described by the IPAQ (short-form) against the general and behavioral characteristics of the study participants. frequencies, and percentages for variables with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), using a significance level of p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study participants' sedentary behavior is shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e. The results indicate that senior undergraduates were more sedentary, with most of them spending five to eight hours a day inactive. FoAS accounted for 33.3% of the students who reported spending five to eight hours sedentary, whereas FoSCH accounted for the lowest percentage, at 13.3%. The use of smartwatches by undergraduates was shown to be significantly (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) less sedentary than that of nonusers.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSedentary behavior of the study participants (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;219)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" morerows=\"1\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharacteristic\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSedentary hours\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;5 hours (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;8 hours (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;8 hours (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25 (30.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22 (28.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14 (36.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.048\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21\u0026ndash;23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19 (23.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32 (26.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (50.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37 (45.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e66 (55.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5 (27.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 (2.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15 (12.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79 (97.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e105 (87.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18 (100)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFaculty\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20 (34.6)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40 (33.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6 (33.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.853\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9 (11.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22 (18.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 (11.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoSCH\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12 (14.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 (13.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4 (22.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoT\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 (19.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25 (28.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4 (22.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFoM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 (19.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17 (14.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 (11.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcademic year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1st year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34 (42.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52 (43.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11 (61.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.669\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2nd year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8 (9.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 (13.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3rd year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28 (34.6)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34 (28.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7 (38.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4th year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11 (13.6)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18 (15.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsing a smartphone\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81 (100.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120 (100)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18 (100)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasuring health status using a smartphone\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21 (29.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17 (14.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 (11.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.076\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60 (74.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e103 (85.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 (88.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsing a smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21 (25.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43 (35.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7 (38.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.281\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60 (74.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77 (64.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11 (61.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasuring health status through a smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot in use\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60 (74.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77 (64.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11 (61.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.772\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6 (7.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 (13.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0 (0.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15 (8.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27 (22.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7 (38.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e \u003cem\u003epresents the distribution of study participants according to their sedentary hours and demographic and behavioral characteristics. frequencies, and percentages for variables with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), using a significance level of p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to the chi-square test results, first-year students were 1.8 times more likely to engage in an active lifestyle than students in other academic years were (OR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.8, 95% CI, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Moreover, individuals who used smartphone applications to monitor their health reported that the odds of being active as nonsmartwatch users were 6.2 (OR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;6.2, 95% CI, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Additionally, survey respondents using smartwatches were 5.4 times more likely to be physically active than their counterparts were (OR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.41, 95% CI, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Similarly, those utilizing smartphones to assess health indicators were three times more likely to be active (OR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;3.48, 95% CI, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRelationships between selected independent variables and physical activity among undergraduates (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;219)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharacteristics\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eActive (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOR\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003edf\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh income\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e92.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.240\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.624\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBeing in the first academic year\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.258\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.039\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBeing a science stream (Yes)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e70.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.135\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.713\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasuring health through a smartphone\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.389\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsing a smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.204\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.021\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsing the Smartwatch as a health-measuring tool\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.026\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasuring health through a smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.022\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e \u003cem\u003epresents the chi-square test results between the selected independent variables and the activity level of the study participants. OR: odds ratio.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e summarizes the results of multivariate regression analysis between adjusted factors such as age, gender, education level, academic year, and income. The first model revealed that students who used smartwatches as health measurement objects were 3.3 times more likely to complete vigorous activities (OR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;3.3, 95%, CI: 1.08\u0026ndash;4.62, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05), whereas Model two indicated that survey respondents who used mobile applications to evaluate their health were 1.4 times more likely (OR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.4, 95% CI: 0.823\u0026ndash;2.28, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) to participate in moderate activities than respondents who did not use these tools were. Model three shows that using a smartwatch to measure health is associated with 4.2 fold greater odds of engaging with walking (OR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4.27, 95% CI: 2.83\u0026ndash;7.62, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Model 4, which considers the total amount of activity, shows that measuring health status via a smartwatch (OR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.701, 95% CI: 1.11\u0026ndash;2.62, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) and being active overall were significantly correlated. Undergraduates who used a smartwatch as a health device were 1.9 times more likely (95% CI: 1.06\u0026ndash;2.86, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) to be active than those who used it as a fashionable item.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMultivariate regression analysis between the adjusted factors and the activity level of the study participants (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;219)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharacteristics\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eB\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eS.E\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAOR\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eβ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e95% CI\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUpper\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLower\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"8\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eModel 1- engaging with vigorous activities\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWearing a smartwatch as a health-measuring device\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.197\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.133\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.310\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.013\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.95\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasuring health using a smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.479\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.773\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.614\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.032\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.355\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.328\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"8\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eModel 2 \u0026ndash; Engaging with moderate physical activities\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasuring health by using mobile apps\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.570\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.390\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.469\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.028\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.823\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.280\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasuring health through a smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.166\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.418\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.218\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.026\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.521\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.679\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"8\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eModel 3- Walking\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsing the smartwatch as a health-measuring device\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.452\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.587\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.272\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.036\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.91\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasuring health through a smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.048\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.429\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.852\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.028\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.231\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.606\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"8\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eModel 4: overall activity level\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasuring health through a smartwatch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.531\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.305\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.701\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.032\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.47\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsing a smartwatch as a health-measuring device\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.671\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.332\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.957\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.043\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e \u003cem\u003epresents the multivariate regression analysis between the selected factors and the activity level of the study participants. Model 1, Model 2, Model 3, and Model 4 indicate students engaging in vigorous, moderate, walking, and overall activity levels, respectively. CI- confidence intervals and 95% confidence intervals, S.E. \u0026ndash; standard error, AOR- adjusted odds ratio, B- unstandardized coefficient, and β- standardized coefficient.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study represents the first known attempt to investigate the relationship between smart device usage and engagement in an active lifestyle among undergraduate students in Sri Lanka. The findings indicate that all participants owned smartphones, whereas slightly more than one-third reported using smartwatches. Among the survey population, approximately 20% used mobile applications to monitor health-related behaviors, whereas only one-third of smartwatch users engaged with the fitness tracking features of their devices. However, many smartwatch users perceive their devices primarily as fashion accessories rather than tools for health monitoring. The study also revealed that participants spent between five and eight hours per day engaging in sedentary behavior, with most failing to meet the recommended guidelines for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Despite these trends, the results suggest that smart technologies can promote more active lifestyles. Individuals in the study who utilized health monitoring applications were more likely to increase their walking frequency and report higher levels of MVPA.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe findings of this study revealed that although a relatively small proportion of participants used smartwatches, the majority relied on smartphones. This observation is consistent with previous research indicating a widespread global affinity for smart devices among university students (27–29). However, despite high ownership rates, only a limited number of participants reported using their smart devices for health monitoring purposes. This result aligns with findings from a study conducted among medical students in Ethiopia, where approximately one-third reported using mobile health applications (30). Similarly, (31) reported that while most undergraduates use mobile applications for social networking and general utilities, only a small subset utilizes them for health tracking.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFurthermore, the present study highlights the potential of smartwatches for health monitoring, contrasting with findings from some previous studies that emphasized the role of wearable devices in enhancing academic performance among undergraduate students (32). In alignment with other research, however, a recent study (33) reported that university students primarily used wearable devices to monitor physiological indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, sleep patterns, and step count—findings that are consistent with those of the current study. Notably, a significant proportion of participants in this study reported using wearable devices, primarily as fashion accessories. This contrasts with evidence from Western contexts, where students were more likely to use wearable technology for activity tracking, followed by dietary and weight monitoring purposes (34). These discrepancies may reflect differences in cultural norms, prevailing lifestyle trends, levels of smart technology literacy, and perceptions regarding the health-related benefits of wearable devices.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe findings of the current study indicate that more than half of the participants engaged in minimal or no physical activity, whereas slightly more than 10% reported participation in vigorous physical activity. These results are consistent with previous research on Sri Lankan university students (26) and with findings from studies conducted in other international contexts (35, 36). However, in contrast to the present study, recent studies involving undergraduates in China (37), India (8), and the Philippines (38) reported higher rates of engagement in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). These discrepancies may be attributed to variations in participant demographics, as well as broader cultural and environmental influences. For example, the university in which the present study was conducted is in Sri Lanka’s dry zone, where high ambient temperatures may act as a deterrent to engaging in strenuous physical activity. Additionally, academic pressures and limited access to recreational facilities may further inhibit student participation in physical activity. Notably, a considerable proportion of the respondents were first-year students, who may face more intensive academic demands than their senior peers do, potentially reducing their time and motivation for regular exercise.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe present study revealed that participants exhibited both high levels of sedentary behavior and low levels of physical activity. More than half of the respondents reported engaging in sedentary activities for five to eight hours per day. This finding is consistent with prior research (39), which documented an average sedentary time of 7.92 hours among university students, representing approximately 39% of the sample. Similarly, another survey (40) reported an average of 7.25 hours of sedentary behavior among 42% of German undergraduates. The results of the current study also align with national data on Sri Lankan university students (26). Multiple factors, including individual characteristics, socioenvironmental influences, and institutional structures, may contribute to increased sedentary time (39). Notably, academic demands have been identified as a significant barrier to physical activity engagement among university students (40), potentially reinforcing sedentary lifestyles within this population.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrevious research has documented the adverse effects of smart device usage on physical activity levels among university students, with some studies suggesting that these technologies contribute to increasingly sedentary lifestyles (41, 42). Nonetheless, other studies have highlighted that students also recognize the potential of smart technologies to support physical well-being (43, 44). Although a substantial proportion of participants in the present study reported using smartphones and wearable devices, relatively few engaged with health-related applications to monitor their well-being. Importantly, this study revealed a significant positive correlation between the use of smart technologies and engagement in MVPA, particularly among individuals who actively tracked their health metrics. Students who reported regular walking and participation in MVPA were more likely to use smart devices and associated applications for fitness tracking, a finding that is consistent with previous research demonstrating a strong association between smart device use and the monitoring of health indicators among university students (33, 45). However, the directionality of this relationship remains unclear. It is plausible that students who are already physically active are more inclined to adopt smart technologies to support their existing healthy routines. Conversely, it is equally likely that the use of smart devices exerts a motivational influence, encouraging users to initiate or maintain physical activity behaviors. This interpretation is supported by earlier findings that emphasize the importance of self-monitoring and real-time feedback in sustaining physical activity among smart device users (45). Moreover, smart technologies often allow users to share progress through social networks, thereby enhancing accountability and motivation. The integration of these technologies into fitness routines can also enhance user engagement by making physical activity more interactive and enjoyable (46).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the primary strengths of this study is its pioneering investigation into the relationship between smart device usage and physical activity among Sri Lankan undergraduates. This novel contribution provides a foundation for future research exploring the potential of smart technologies to promote healthier behaviors within the university student population. Additionally, the findings suggest that smart devices, such as smartwatches and smartphones, can effectively motivate students to engage in physical activity. In addition to their immediate impact on physical health, smart devices also have broader implications for the academic community. They offer significant potential not only for educational purposes but also for enhancing digital literacy and increasing the appeal of technology-driven initiatives that encourage active lifestyles. Furthermore, the study employed the validated IPAQ-Short Form to assess physical activity levels, thereby ensuring the reliability and sensitivity of the data collected.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFuture research should address the limitations of the present study to increase the depth and applicability of its findings. First, as the survey sample was drawn from a single university in Sri Lanka, the results may not be generalizable to the broader student population. Therefore, subsequent studies should aim to recruit more diverse and representative samples to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between smart device usage and physical activity. Second, this study did not account for several potential factors that could influence students' engagement in physical activity. Variables such as environmental conditions, cultural influences, and individual physical characteristics are likely to play a significant role in determining activity levels. Future research should integrate these factors to develop a more nuanced and holistic understanding of how smart devices affect university students' physical activity. Third, a methodological limitation of this study was the reliance on an online data collection platform (Google Sheets), which may have introduced inconsistencies or contributed to potential overestimation in the responses provided by participants. In addition, although the online version of the IPAQ-Short Form has been validated in international contexts, it has not been validated for the Sri Lankan setting. To improve data accuracy and reliability, future studies should consider employing in-person interviews or a hybrid data collection approach.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion and recommendations","content":"\u003cp\u003e The findings of this study indicate that a significant proportion of survey respondents fail to consistently meet recommended daily physical activity guidelines, with many exhibiting a sedentary lifestyle. Although many participants reported using smart devices such as smartphones and smartwatches, only a small percentage actively utilized these technologies for health monitoring. Among those who did, the most tracked health indicators were blood pressure, heart rate, and step count. These results underscore the potential of smart devices as effective tools for encouraging physical activity among university students. Furthermore, the use of smart devices to monitor health was associated with increased motivation to engage in walking and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. This study highlights the pivotal role of smart technology in promoting physical activity within the university student population. Considering these findings, it is recommended that targeted interventions be developed to increase students' technological literacy, with a focus on promoting positive behavioral changes. Such initiatives should aim to equip students with the skills and knowledge to effectively utilize smart devices in support of their health and well-being.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionList\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eIPAQ\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInternational Physical Activity Questionnaire\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eWHO\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWorld Health Organization\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eFoAS\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFaculty of Applied Sciences\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eFoA\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFaculty of Agriculture\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eFoMS\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFaculty of Management Studies\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eFoT\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFaculty of Technology\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eFoSSH\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFaculty of Social Sciences and Humanities\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eFoM\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFaculty of Medicine\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eSPSS\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStatistical Package for Social Science\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eMET\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMetabolic Equivalent Task\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eMVPA\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eModerate to Vigorous physical activity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was reviewed by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, under the reference number [ERC/2024/11]. All procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInformed consent\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewas obtained from all participants before their inclusion in the study. Participants were provided an information sheet that included the procedure of the research and informed about the purpose of the study, their right to withdraw at any time, and the measures taken to ensure confidentiality and anonymity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no relevant financial or nonfinancial interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFunding\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support was received during the preparation of this manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eC.S, S.S, and A.W contributed to the conceptualization, material preparation, data collection, and analysis. C S prepared the first draft of the manuscript, and R.M., K.M., L.S, and M.F. performed the investigation and review. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors of this study would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Rajarata University of Sri Lanka for support in conducting this research. The appreciation is also extended to all the undergraduates who participated in this survey.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dataset used for the analysis and data collection tools can be accessed through the online repository. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/15-Bw7jITiNfE1n0JfUxvj3m9SwN_gCxM/edit?usp=drive_link\u0026amp;ouid=100591472960429559058\u0026amp;rtpof=true\u0026amp;sd=true)\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWHO. 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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(6):3710. doi:10.3390/ijerph19063710.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFook CY. et al. Smartphone Use among University Students. Asian Journal of University Education. 2021;17(1):p.282. doi:10.24191/ajue.v17i1.12622.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKariapper A, Razeeth S, Ponnampalam P, Nafrees ACM, Fathima Roshan AM. Positive Impact of Smart Devices Among Higher Education Students PalArch's Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology 2020; 17:11413-21.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHailiye TG, Tadele MM, Tizazu G, Hordofa ZR, Shimie AW, Assaye BT, et al. Utilization of mobile health applications and determinant factors among health science students at Debre Markos University, northwest Ethiopia in 2022. PLoS One.2023; 18(7):e0275689. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0275689.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDevasirvadam SV. The effect of smartphone use on student health status. International Journal of Health Sciences 2022; 6 (3):pp.7348-58. doi:10.53730/ijhs.v6ns3.7677.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHerrera-Alc\u0026aacute;ntara O, Barrera-Animas AY, Gonz\u0026aacute;lez-Mendoza M, Castro-Espinoza F. Monitoring Student Activities with Smartwatches: On the Academic Performance Enhancement. Sensors.2019; 19(7):1605. Doi:10.3390/s19071605.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eR\u0026aacute;thonyi G. Wearable Activity Trackers Usage among University Students. European Journal of Contemporary Education. 2019;8(3):600\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;12. Doi:10.13187/ejced.2019.3.600.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBardus M, Borgi C, El-Harakeh M, Gherbal T, Kharroubi S, Fares E-J. Exploring the Use of Mobile and Wearable Technology among University Student Athletes in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study. Sensors. 2021; 21(13):4472. doi:10.3390/s21134472.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlhammad SA, Almutairi FM, Bajsair AS, Alghamdi AS, Algarni FS, Aldaihan MM, et al. Physical activity levels among undergraduate students at the College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh: A prevalence study. Medicine. 2023;102(48). Doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036386.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlkhawaldeh A, Abdalrahim A, ALBashtawy M, Ayed A, Al Omari O, ALBashtawy Sd, et al. University Students\u0026rsquo; Physical Activity: Perceived Barriers and Benefits to Physical Activity and Its Contributing Factors. SAGE Open Nursing. 2024; 10:23779608241240490. Doi:10.1177/23779608241240490.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePan M, Ying B, Lai Y, Kuan G. 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Frontiers in Public Health. 2022; 16: 10:821703. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.821703.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGuo KL. et al. The relationship between physical exercise and mobile phone addiction tendency of university students in China: a moderated mediation model. Frontiers in Psychology. 2022; 13: doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.730886.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHan Y, Qin G, Han S, Ke Y, Meng S, Tong W, et al. Effect of Mobile Phone Addiction on Physical Exercise in University Students: Moderating Effect of Peer Relationships. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(3):2685. Doi:10.3390/ijerph20032685.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDennison L, Morrison L, Conway G, Yardley L. Opportunities and Challenges for Smartphone Applications in Supporting Health Behavior Change: Qualitative Study. J Med internet Res. 2013; 15(4):e86. Doi;10.2196/jmir.2583.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGowin M, Marshall C, Shannon G, and Franklin Wann T. Health and Fitness App Use in College Students: A Qualitative Study. American Journal of Health Education. 2015; 46(4):223\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;30. doi:10.1080/19325037.2015.1044140.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnsari FS, Alfayez A, Alsalman D, Alanezi F, Alhodaib H, Al-Rayes S, et al. Using mobile health applications to enhance physical activity in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study on users\u0026rsquo; perceptions. International Health. 2022; 15(1):47\u0026ndash;55. doi:10.1093/inthealth/ihac008.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOyibo K, Wang K, Morita PP. Using Smart Home Technologies to Promote Physical Activity Among the General and Aging Populations: Scoping Review. J Med internet Res.2023; 25:e41942. Doi:10.2196/41942.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-public-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"pubh","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Public Health](http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/pubh/default.aspx","title":"BMC Public Health","twitterHandle":"@BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"University Students, Physical Activities, Smart Devices","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6934019/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6934019/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003ePhysical activity among young people is important in minimizing the risk of noncommunicable diseases in adulthood. Smart devices have become essential tools in university students' daily lives. However, their influence on undergraduate physical activity levels remains unknown. This study examined the relationship between smart device usage and physical activity engagement among undergraduate students at a selected university in Sri Lanka.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cross-sectional survey was conducted with undergraduates at Sri Lankan State University, and demographic and behavioral data on smart device usage, physical activity, and sedentary behavior were collected. The data were analyzed via SPSS 28.0, and the associations between demographic variables and physical activity outcomes were assessed via chi-square tests and multivariate regression models. The IPAQ short-form questionnaire was used for data processing.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMost of the study participants (49.0%) were aged 23\u0026ndash;25 years, with females comprising 59.8% of the sample. All the participants reported smartphone usage, while 32.4% utilized smartwatches. Among smartwatch users, only 15.5% employed these devices for health monitoring purposes, whereas the remainder used them primarily as fashion accessories. The study revealed that students utilizing smartwatches for health measurement presented significantly greater odds of engaging in vigorous physical activities (OR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;3.3, 95% CI: 1.83\u0026ndash;5.59, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) and moderate-intensity activities (OR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.4, 95% CI: 0.823\u0026ndash;2.28, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Furthermore, the use of smartwatches for measuring health indicators was associated with a 1.7 likelihood of an increase in overall physical activity level among the survey population (OR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.7, 95% CI: 1.06\u0026ndash;2.47, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The study revealed that many students did not follow daily physical activity guidelines or engage in sedentary behavior. Additionally, many undergraduates who maintain an active lifestyle use smart devices to monitor their health status.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"The Association Between Smart Device Usage and Physical Activity Levels in University Students in Sri Lanka: A Cross-Sectional Study","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-07-21 05:55:33","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6934019/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-10-22T08:47:17+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-08-08T16:21:45+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"337580069386256851165837031252640849605","date":"2025-07-22T06:41:55+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"191302273978004778235785342121429307099","date":"2025-07-19T06:22:05+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"274403053278941087013150910661268878104","date":"2025-07-18T08:12:53+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-07-18T07:26:16+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"47302255929962878102052732451389178817","date":"2025-07-18T04:48:18+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-07-17T06:32:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-06-24T08:36:58+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-06-24T08:35:38+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Public Health","date":"2025-06-19T23:50:51+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-public-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"pubh","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Public Health](http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/pubh/default.aspx","title":"BMC Public Health","twitterHandle":"@BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"d9500361-06cc-4e21-b27e-916cf6903d85","owner":[],"postedDate":"July 21st, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-11-05T09:38:14+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-07-21 05:55:33","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6934019","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6934019","identity":"rs-6934019","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}