The Association Between Smart Device Usage and Physical Activity Levels in University Students in Sri Lanka: A Cross-Sectional Study

Physical activity among young people is important in minimizing the risk of noncommunicable diseases in adulthood. Smart devices have become essential tools in university students' daily lives. However, their influence on undergraduate physical activity levels remains unknown. This study examined the relationship between smart device usage and physical activity engagement among undergraduate students at a selected university in Sri Lanka.A cross-sectional survey was conducted with undergraduates at Sri Lankan State University, and demographic and behavioral data on smart device usage, physical activity, and sedentary behavior were collected. The data were analyzed via SPSS 28.0, and the associations between demographic variables and physical activity outcomes were assessed via chi-square tests and multivariate regression models. The IPAQ short-form questionnaire was used for data processing.Most of the study participants (49.0%) were aged 23–25 years, with females comprising 59.8% of the sample. All the participants reported smartphone usage, while 32.4% utilized smartwatches. Among smartwatch users, only 15.5% employed these devices for health monitoring purposes, whereas the remainder used them primarily as fashion accessories. The study revealed that students utilizing smartwatches for health measurement presented significantly greater odds of engaging in vigorous physical activities (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.83–5.59, p < 0.05) and moderate-intensity activities (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 0.823–2.28, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the use of smartwatches for measuring health indicators was associated with a 1.7 likelihood of an increase in overall physical activity level among the survey population (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.06–2.47, p < 0.05). The study revealed that many students did not follow daily physical activity guidelines or engage in sedentary behavior. Additionally, many undergraduates who maintain an active lifestyle use smart devices to monitor their health status.