Decent work perception and burnout in pediatric nurses: the mediating effect of basic psychological needs based on self-determination theory.

Physical activity is one of the fundamental health behaviors recognized for its role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and premature mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) 2020 Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior emphasized the importance of regular physical activity for health and stated that all movement throughout the day may provide health benefits (). However, physical inactivity and sedentary behavior continue to be major public health problems worldwide. Prolonged sitting behavior has been reported to negatively affect cardiometabolic health, mental health, and quality of life (). University students are considered a population at risk for insufficient physical activity. Academic workload, exam-related stress, lack of time, prolonged study periods, and increased screen time may contribute to sedentary behavior among students (). Physical activity behavior is a multidimensional construct influenced by a range of individual and environmental factors (). Recent studies have shown that a considerable proportion of university students do not meet the recommended physical activity levels and exhibit high levels of sedentary behavior (, ). Therefore, there is a need for feasible, sustainable, and easily integrated physical activity approaches for university students. In recent years, interest in short-duration physical activity approaches that can be integrated into daily life has increased. In particular, “exercise snacks” or short bouts of physical activity have been reported to have positive effects on health (). Snacktivity is an innovative approach that aims to increase physical activity through short bouts of movement distributed throughout the day. This approach includes short activity snacks lasting several minutes, such as climbing stairs, taking short walks, breaking up sitting time, or incorporating brief movement breaks during daily activities. The Snacktivity approach suggests that physical activity does not consist solely of structured exercise sessions and that short-duration movements may also provide important health benefits (). Although physiotherapy and rehabilitation students theoretically understand the health benefits of physical activity due to their professional education, their own physical activity levels may remain below the recommended levels. Previous studies have shown that the Snacktivity approach is perceived as feasible, accessible, and motivating by individuals (). Participants reported that they were able to integrate this approach more easily into their daily lives, that their awareness of opportunities for physical activity increased, and that perceived barriers to physical activity decreased (, ). In addition, short bouts of physical activity have been suggested to support physical activity behavior, particularly among individuals with limited time (). The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) proposes that changes in physical activity behavior occur through progressive changes in cognitive and behavioral processes (). Counter conditioning refers to replacing sedentary or unhealthy behaviors with healthier alternatives, while self-liberation reflects individuals’ commitment and intention to engage in behavioral change (). The Snacktivity approach may influence these processes by encouraging individuals to replace prolonged periods of sitting with short bouts of physical activity integrated into their daily routines and by increasing awareness of available movement opportunities (, ). Therefore, evaluating these processes of change may provide important insights into the behavioral mechanisms through which a short-term Snacktivity intervention may influence exercise behavior. Recent studies have demonstrated that physical activity interventions may be effective strategies for improving movement behaviors among university students. Web-based, motivational, and behavior change-based interventions have shown potential for increasing physical activity participation and improving psychological determinants of exercise behavior in this population (). Although there is growing interest in physical activity-promoting approaches, little is known about the effects of Snacktivity-based interventions on physical activity levels and behavioral processes among university students. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a Snacktivity-based educational intervention on physical activity levels, exercise self-efficacy, processes and stages of exercise behavior change among university students. The present study was designed to test the following hypotheses: : A brief Snacktivity-based educational intervention would increase physical activity levels and reduce sedentary behavior among university students. : A brief Snacktivity-based educational intervention would positively influence exercise behavior change processes by encouraging the replacement of sedentary behaviors with short bouts of physical act