2025, Vol. 12, Issue 4, Part G

This study assesses physical activity (PA) levels among college-going students in Ladakh using the Physical Activity subdomain of the Healthy Lifestyle Scale (HLS), a validated tool tailored for regions with extreme climates. Data were collected via self-reported yes/no responses to five HLS items focusing on moderate, vigorous, flexibility, muscle-strengthening activities, and adaptation to weather conditions. Results indicate a mean PA score of 2.65 (SD=1.20) out of 5, with 11.76% of participants classified as low (scores 0-1), 64.05% as moderate (scores 2-3), and 24.18% as high (scores 4-5). Item-level analysis showed high engagement in moderate PA (81.70%) and weather adaptation (83.66%) but lower rates in vigorous (28.76%), flexibility (42.48%), and muscle-strengthening activities (28.10%). These findings highlight climate-related barriers in Ladakh, such as harsh winters, which may limit diverse PA despite strong adaptive intentions. Implications include the need for targeted interventions like indoor exercise programs to promote health among youth in the Himalayan regions.