The impact of moderate physical activity and student interaction on retention at a community college

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of a voluntary walking program that combined moderate physical activity and student interaction on student retention at a community college. Methods: A sample of 69 students at a suburban community college voluntarily joined a walking program and logged the number of minutes they walked and the number of people they spoke to each day. Using a Chi-Squared Test of Independence, the study sample was compared to a matched sample of nonparticipating students. Results: There was a significant difference in these groups relative to retention. A Fisher’s Exact Test was used to consider (a) the difference between participants who walked at least 150 minutes per week Reference (1) and those who did not relative to retention and (b) the difference between participants who interacted while walking and those who did not relative to retention. These tests showed no significant differences. Conclusions: Participation in the walking program was significantly associated with retention, but amount of moderate activity or interaction was not.

Keywords:

• Retention rate
• physical activity
• college student
• sense of belonging
• peer interaction

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the Old Dominion University College of Education & Professional Studies Human Subjects Review Committee.

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.