Mobile phone use among college students is a sedentary leisure behavior which may interfere with exercise

Abstract

Research suggests that cell phone use is related to sedentary behavior, that cell phone use during exercise reduces intensity, and that high frequency cell phone users are less fit than other users. Thus, cell phone use appears connected to health and fitness behaviors and should be better understood within this context. The present study investigated the sedentary nature of cell phone use, and examined the likelihood of cellphone use interfering with exercise behavior. DesignA validated survey was administered to a random sample of students from a public US university (N = 226). ResultsMean self-reported cell phone use was 380 min day−1, 87% reported cell phone use primarily occurs while sitting, and 70% of use was for leisure. Cell phone use was positively related to sedentary behavior (β = 0.30, p < 0.001). It was not related to physical activity. However, the likelihood of cell phone use during moderate (p = 0.006) and mild (p < 0.001) intensity exercise increased as cell phone use increased. ConclusionLike other screens (e.g., TVs), cell phone use appears to be a sedentary leisure behavior. Furthermore, high frequency use increases the likelihood that it will occur during exercise, likely lowering exercise intensity.