Examining relationships between sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), physical activity context preferences, and physical activity self-efficacy in undergraduate students

Abstract

Objective Although regular physical activity (PA) enhances health, university environments often contribute to substantial PA declines for students. This cross-sectional study investigated relationships between Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), a personality trait amplifying individuals’ responsiveness to their environments, and university students’ perceptions of PA environments, including their PA context preferences and self-efficacy to accomplish PA despite barriers.Participants Participants were 425 undergraduate students attending Ontario universities.Methods Participants completed the Highly Sensitive Person 12-Item Scale, the Self-Efficacy for Physical Activity Scale, and several Likert-scale items assessing PA context preferences. Relationships were quantified using correlation coefficients and regression analyses.Results Higher SPS was correlated (p < .05) with preferences for scheduled, at-home, and adjustable-difficulty PA settings and reduced preferences for competitive, team-based, and higher-volume PA. Higher SPS was associated with lower PA self-efficacy (r = −0.240, p < .001).Conclusions Self-efficacy development and controllable PA contexts may make PA more accessible to university students with higher-sensitivity personalities.