Sport development index as a predictor of physical activity and aerobic fitness: evidence from Indonesian universities with regional contrasts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v75.117110Keywords:
Sport Development Index, physical activity, aerobic fitness, regional disparities, UniversityAbstract
Introduction: Institutional support has a significant impact on physical activity and fitness of University Members in Indonesia, but there is limited empirical data linking SDI metrics to health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.
Objective: This study examines the correlation between SDI scores and aerobic fitness and physical activity levels of University Members in Indonesia.
Methodology: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted across 14 Indonesian universities (42.86% Java, 57.14% non-Java). SDI was evaluated via a 75-item checklist (α = 0.89). Physical activity (MET-minutes/week) was measured using the IPAQ-SF, while aerobic fitness (VO₂ max) was assessed via the 20-meter (MFT).
Results: Universities with higher SDI demonstrated stronger physical activity (mean MET-minutes = 1,728 ± 1,182) and fitness levels (VO₂ max = 35.8 ± 4.63 ml/kg/min). Significant positive correlations emerged between SDI and physical activity (*r* = 0.910, *p* < 0.001) and fitness (*r* = 0.906, *p* < 0.001). Non-Java institutions outperformed Java counterparts in inclusive policies (57.14% scored ≥20/25), despite lower budgets.
Discussion: SDI elements like staff training, including policies, and accessible facilities enhance student engagement, aligning with international research. Decentralized governance could improve inclusivity in resource-limited environments, but budget disparities worsen participation gaps.
Conclusions: SDI is a crucial indicator of student health outcomes in Indonesian universities. Policymakers should prioritize mandatory sports budgets, equitable resource distribution, and region-specific approaches to reducing inequities.
References
Agnes, T., Nayak, U. U., Kulakarni, M. M., & Maiya, G. A. (2024). Physical activity promotion through digital technology among older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A scoping review. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 19(5), 1024. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JTUMED.2024.10.001
Aguilar, E. E. R., Zapata, M. H. L., Giraldo, F. J. L., Tejada, J. L. C., & Vidales, S. A. Z. (2008). Análisis descriptivo de las variables: nivel de actividad física, depresión y riesgos cardiovasculares en empleados y docentes de una institución universitaria en Medellín (Colombia). Apunts. Medicina de l’Esport, 43(158), 55–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1886-6581(08)70072-0
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
Akobundu, U. N., Obiekwe, S. J., Ezeigwe, J., Adaigwe, A. I., Okonkwo, U. P., Daniel, A. J., & Akosile, C. O. (2025). The Correlation of Work-Related Stress, Sleep Quality, and Physical Activity Among Academic Staff in a Nigerian Medical School: A Cross-Sectional Study. Lifestyle Medicine, 6(3), e70027. https://doi.org/10.1002/LIM2.70027
Akodu, A., Owoeye, O., & Raufu, A. (2016). Exercise, Recreation and Sport Participation among Lecturers in University of Lagos. University of Lagos Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 4(8), 26–32.
Alyafei, A., & Easton-Carr, R. (2024). The Health Belief Model of Behavior Change. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK606120/
Andermo, S., Hallgren, M., Nguyen, T. T. D., Jonsson, S., Petersen, S., Friberg, M., Romqvist, A., Stubbs, B., & Elinder, L. S. (2020). School-related physical activity interventions and mental health among children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine - Open, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-020-00254-x
Arslan, S. S., Alemdaroǧlu, I., Karaduman, A. A., & Yilmaz, Ö. T. (2019). The effects of physical activity on sleep quality, job satisfaction, and quality of life in office workers. Work, 63(1), 3–7. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-192902;SUBPAGE:STRING:ABSTRACT;REQUESTEDJOURNAL:JOURNAL:WORA;WEBSITE:WEBSITE:SAGE;WGROUP:STRING:PUBLICATION
Barros, K., Vuillemin, A., Rostan, F., Lemmonier, F., Guillemin, F., Tezier, B., & Van Hoye, A. (2025). Defining health promoting sports coaches skills: A systematic review. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541251320830;CSUBTYPE:STRING:AHEAD
Bauman, A. E., Reis, R. S., Sallis, J. F., Wells, J. C., Loos, R. J. F., Martin, B. W., Alkandari, J. R., Andersen, L. B., Blair, S. N., Brownson, R. C., Bull, F. C., Craig, C. L., Ekelund, U., Goenka, S., Guthold, R., Hallal, P. C., Haskell, W. L., Heath, G. W., Inoue, S., … Sarmiento, O. L. (2012). Correlates of physical activity: why are some people physically active and others not? The Lancet, 380(9838), 258–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60735-1
Blázquez Manzano, A., Ana León-Mejía, A., & Feu Molina, S. (2015). Intención y práctica de actividad física en maestros españoles. Cuadernos de Psicología Del Deporte, 15(2), 163–170. https://doi.org/10.4321/S1578-84232015000200018
Dharmansyah, D., & Budiana, D. (2021). Indonesian Adaptation of The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ): Psychometric Properties. Jurnal Pendidikan Keperawatan Indonesia, 7(2), 159–163. https://doi.org/10.17509/jpki.v7i2.39351
Ding, D., Lawson, K. D., Kolbe-Alexander, T. L., Finkelstein, E. A., Katzmarzyk, P. T., van Mechelen, W., & Pratt, M. (2016). The economic burden of physical inactivity: a global analysis of major non-communicable diseases. The Lancet, 388(10051), 1311–1324. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30383-X
Eime, R. M., Young, J. A., Harvey, J. T., Charity, M. J., & Payne, W. R. (2013). A systematic review of the psychological and social benefits of participation in sport for children and adolescents: Informing development of a conceptual model of health through sport. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 10(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-10-98/TABLES/2
Giulianotti, R. (2021). Greening Sport for Development and Peace: A Socio-Ecological Approach. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/FSPOR.2021.660743,
Gonçalves, G. S., Serra, F. A. R., Storopoli, J. E., Scafuto, I. C., & Rafael, D. N. (2024). Undergraduate Student Retention Activities: Challenges and Research Agenda. SAGE Open, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241249334/ASSET/F65D911F-4F7E-4ADC-ABF7-61D78C2DF095/ASSETS/IMAGES/LARGE/10.1177_21582440241249334-FIG1.JPG
Hallal, P. C., Andersen, L. B., Bull, F. C., Guthold, R., Haskell, W., Ekelund, U., Alkandari, J. R., Bauman, A. E., Blair, S. N., Brownson, R. C., Craig, C. L., Goenka, S., Heath, G. W., Inoue, S., Kahlmeier, S., Katzmarzyk, P. T., Kohl, H. W., Lambert, E. V., Lee, I. M., … Wells, J. C. (2012). Global physical activity levels: surveillance progress, pitfalls, and prospects. Lancet (London, England), 380(9838), 247–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60646-1
Hariyanto, A., Mustar, Y. S., Sholikhah, A. M. atus, Rusdiawan, A., Susanto, I. H., & Purnomo, M. (2023). Physical Activity Level Amongst University Students and Lecturers Across Majors and Programs in Indonesia. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 23(1), 49–57. https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2023.1.07
Hu, D., Zhou, S., Crowley-Mchattan, Z. J., & Liu, Z. (2021). Factors That Influence Participation in Physical Activity in School-Aged Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review from the Social Ecological Model Perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 3147. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH18063147
IPAQ. (n.d.). International Physical Activity Questionnaire.
Kim, E., & Zhang, J. J. (2021). Sport Governance and Operations. Sport Governance and Operations. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003213673
Kljajević, V., Stanković, M., Ðorđević, D., Trkulja-Petković, D., Jovanović, R., Plazibat, K., Oršolić, M., Čurić, M., & Sporiš, G. (2021). Physical Activity and Physical Fitness among University Students—A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1), 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH19010158
Kondo, M. C., Fluehr, J. M., McKeon, T., & Branas, C. C. (2018). Urban green space and its impact on human health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH15030445,
Kosonen, T., Annala, J., Penttinen, L., & Mäkinen, M. (2023). University Students’ Approaches to Making the Most of Their Study Time. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 67(3), 377–390. https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2021.2021440
Le Rossignol, P., Boertien, M., & Wee, E. H. (2016). Health related physical activity behaviour of first year university students. International Sports Studies, 38(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.30819/ISS.38-1.03
Leal, J. B., Montenegro, R. A., Do Nascimento Junior, J. R. A., Siqueira, L. P., Almeida, C. M. M., de Moraes, J. F. V. N., & Carvalho, F. O. (2020). Level of physical activity and associated factors in a public university. Revista Brasileira de Cineantropometria & Desempenho Humano, 22, e59241. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-0037.2020V22E59241
Lee, S. A., Ju, Y. J., Lee, J. E., Hyun, I. S., Nam, J. Y., Han, K. T., & Park, E. C. (2016). The relationship between sports facility accessibility and physical activity among Korean adults. BMC Public Health, 16(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12889-016-3574-Z/TABLES/3
Marques, A., Iglésias, B., Ramos, G., Gouveia, É. R., Ferrari, G., Martins, J., & Lagestad, P. (2023). Physical education teachers’ knowledge of physical activity recommendations for health promotion in children and adolescents. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-023-48522-6;SUBJMETA=478,692,700,784;KWRD=PUBLIC+HEALTH,QUALITY+OF+LIFE
McLennan, N., & Thompson, J. (2015). Quality Physical Education (QPE): guidelines for policy makers. 89. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000231101
Morningstar, B., Clayborne, Z., Wong, S. L., Roberts, K. C., Prince, S. A., Gariépy, G., Goldfield, G. S., Janssen, I., & Lang, J. J. (2023). The association between social media use and physical activity among Canadian adolescents: a Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 114(4), 642–650. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-023-00754-9
Neil-Sztramko, S. E., Caldwell, H., & Dobbins, M. (2021). School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021(9). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007651.PUB3,
Paradisis, G. P., Zacharogiannis, E., Mandila, D., Smirtiotou, A., Argeitaki, P., & Cooke, C. B. (2014). Multi-Stage 20-m Shuttle Run Fitness Test, Maximal Oxygen Uptake and Velocity at Maximal Oxygen Uptake. Journal of Human Kinetics, 41(1), 81. https://doi.org/10.2478/HUKIN-2014-0035
Robbins, L. B., Wen, F., & Ling, J. (2019). Mediators of Physical Activity Behavior Change in the “Girls on the Move” Intervention. Nursing Research, 68(4), 257. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNR.0000000000000359
Sakalidis, K. E., Fadeeva, A., Hettinga, F. J., & Ling, F. C. M. (2023). The role of the social environment in inclusive sports participation-Identifying similarities and challenges in athletes with and without Intellectual Disabilities through coaches’ eyes: A qualitative inquiry. PLoS ONE, 18(1 January). https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0280379
Sallis, J. F., Cervero, R. B., Ascher, W., Henderson, K. A., Kraft, M. K., & Kerr, J. (2006). An ecological approach to creating active living communities. Annual Review of Public Health, 27, 297–322. https://doi.org/10.1146/ANNUREV.PUBLHEALTH.27.021405.102100,
Samson-Akpan, P. E., Eyo, M. B. N., & Joshua, A. M. (2013). Physical activity for quality living among academic staff in Nigerian universities. Hamdard Medicus, 56, 78–90.
Snedden, T. R., Scerpella, J., Kliethermes, S. A., Norman, R. S., Blyholder, L., Sanfilippo, J., McGuine, T. A., & Heiderscheit, B. (2019). Sport and physical activity level impacts health-related quality of life among collegiate students. American Journal of Health Promotion : AJHP, 33(5), 675. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117118817715
Soetan, M. K., & Popoola, B. I. (2018). WORKLOAD AND AREAS OF SPECIALISATION AS CORRELATES OF JOB STRESS AMONG UNIVERSITY LECTURERS IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA. European Journal of Education Studies, 5(4), 199–206. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.1476693
Suyoto, P. S. T., Huriyati, E., Susilowati, R., & Julia, M. (2016). Relative validity of administered indonesian version of the short-form international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) among obese adolescent girl population. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 15(9), 816–820. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2016.816.820
Swinburn, B. A., Sacks, G., Hall, K. D., McPherson, K., Finegood, D. T., Moodie, M. L., & Gortmaker, S. L. (2011). The global obesity pandemic: Shaped by global drivers and local environments. The Lancet, 378(9793), 804–814. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60813-1,
Wiriawan, O., -, S., Kusuma, D. A., Firmansyah, A., Nor, A. M., Rusdiawan, A., & Mohd Kadri, N. (2024). School Leadership In Addressing The Influence Of Parental Income On Physical Activity And Sedentary Lifestyle Among Junior High School Students. MOJEM: Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Management, 12(2), 16–27. https://doi.org/10.22452/MOJEM.VOL12NO2.2
Yu, C.-Y. (2025). Access to Third Places: Key Determinants of Physical and Social Well-Being in Older Adults. Urban Science 2025, Vol. 9, Page 141, 9(5), 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/URBANSCI9050141
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Dzul Fikri, Andun Sudijandoko, Mochamad Purnomo, Donny Ardy Kusuma, Cemal Özman, Afif Rusdiawan, Mohammad Fathur Rohman, Auliya Putri Srie Wardani, Anindya Mar'atus Sholikhah, Awang Firmansyah, Bhekti Lestari, Muhammad Labib Siena Ar Rasyid
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and ensure the magazine the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this magazine.
- Authors can establish separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Is allowed and authors are encouraged to disseminate their work electronically (eg, in institutional repositories or on their own website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as to a subpoena more Early and more of published work (See The Effect of Open Access) (in English).
This journal provides immediate open access to its content (BOAI, http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess) on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The authors may download the papers from the journal website, or will be provided with the PDF version of the article via e-mail.
