Sedentary Behaviors and Physical Activity in Relation to Class Standing in University Students

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine baseline measures for sedentary behaviors (SB) and physical activity (PA) in relation to class standing of university students. METHODS: To asses SB and PA, each participant was given the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants were selected from graduate (GS) and undergraduate courses in health and exercise and sport science at a public four year university. RESULTS: On average students spent 37 hours in SB during a normal five day week. Significance was noted between class standing for playing computer/video games, paperwork/computer, and transportation for weekday sedentary behaviors (p <0.05). More specifically graduate students (GS) spent more time on paperwork then freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior; F(4, 314) =6.05, p=.00. Students across all standings on average spent 15 hours (hrs) engaged in SB during a normal two day weekend. The highest ranking of these SB were television and paperwork. Playing computer/video game use was significantly different for GS compared to both freshmen; p=.001 and sophomores; p=.00. Also, GS spent more time reading compared to sophomores; p=.049. Variables indicating SB hrs were higher for men than women during the weekday; p=.009. There were no observed significance between class rank for total vigorous activity (VA) and total moderate activity (MA). On average students spent 5 hrs in VA and 5 hrs in MA during the week. Significance was noted between genders for total VA with men performing 7 hrs compared to 3 hrs for women per week (p<.05). Furthermore, students spent on average 3 days per week performing VA and 3.3 days for MA. CONCLUSION: Findings from the study support the idea that certain SB change overtime according to class standing. Likewise, university students perceive certain SB with differing levels of importance according to recreational (mindless) or obligatory (constructive) tasks. Additionally, because GS study more during the week, it appears that there PA time is on the weekends, whereas, for undergraduate students it’s the reverse, while sophomores and juniors have most PA during the week. This has importance for campus recreation specialists and those involved in university PA and exercise programs development.