Asian Basic and Applied Research Journal

Physical inactivity remains a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, making it a significant global public health concern. This study examined physical activity (PA) behaviour among students and staff of the University of Rwanda by assessing PA levels, activity patterns, sedentary behaviour, and compliance with the World Health Organization (WHO) PA recommendations. The findings indicated high compliance with WHO guidelines, with 94.0% of students and 67.4% of staff achieving the recommended PA levels. Students demonstrated higher participation in physical activity, primarily through active transport and vigorous recreational exercise, whereas staff exhibited lower involvement in vigorous occupational activities but greater involvement in leisure-time exercise. Among staff, age was negatively associated with vigorous activity, with younger staff participating more frequently than older staff. Among students, age was weakly negatively associated with sedentary behaviour, indicating a slight reduction in sedentary time as age increased. Gender differences were generally limited; sedentary behaviour differed significantly between male and female students, while male staff accumulated more work-related physical activity. Despite the generally high PA levels, prolonged sedentary behaviour remained prevalent, particularly among students. The study recommends targeted interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour, strengthen workplace physical activity, promote active transport, and address age- and gender-specific physical activity needs within university settings.