Accelerometry-Determined Adherence to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Among College Students

Abstract

Background: A need exists to determine whether college students engage in sufficient physical activity (PA) using objective methodology. Purpose: Accelerometry-based activity monitors were used to evaluate adherence to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Methods: College students (N = 168) wore accelerometers for seven consecutive days. Results: The mean total minutes per day of moderate and vigorous PA were 53.9 minutes and 5.2 minutes, respectively, primarily via short intermittent bouts. When examining PA in bouts lasting the recommended minimum of 10 minutes, the average time spent per day in moderate and vigorous PA dropped to 12.5 minutes and 1.4 minutes, respectively. Thus, only 22.0% of the sample accumulated the recommended minimum of 150 minutes per week of sustained moderate-to-vigorous PA. Discussion: The findings suggest that college students intermittingly accumulate substantial moderate PA via lifestyle activities such as walking, but do not adhere to recommendations for prolonged moderate or vigorous PA. Translation to Health Education Practice: The results indicate that health education practitioners at the collegiate level should educate young adults about the increased efficiency and long-term health benefits of meeting PA recommendations by engaging in sustained moderate and vigorous activities.

Sedentary behavior and physical activity of young adult university students

“…The participants in this research averaged a high amount (1.1 hr) of MVPA every day. This is similar to findings by Raynor and Jankowiak () though three times as much as Downs et al (). Neither of these groups explored SB.…”

“…Three sources helped guide estimation of the appropriate sample size for the study: 1) previous similar research; 2) general statistical principles; and 3) the nQuery (Statistical Solutions, Ltd., Los Angeles, CA) power analysis program. Sample sizes in similar research ranged from 77 (Downs, Van Hoomissen, Lafrenz, & Julka, ) to 168 (Raynor & Jankowiak, ). General consensus on principles of statistics suggest multiple regression analyses should have 10–15 participants per independent variable (Harrell, ).…”

Association between sedentary and physical activity patterns and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in Saudi men: A cross-sectional study

“…Approximately half of the current participants did not accumulate 10-min sessions of MVPA. This was also found among young men, with total 10-min MVPA sessions of 13.9 min and accumulated sporadic MVPA of 59.1 min [ 38 ]. The current study favors 10-min MVPA for improving risk factors of MetS, especially HDL levels.…”

Prática de caminhada, atividade física moderada e vigorosa e fatores associados em estudantes do primeiro ano de uma instituição de ensino superior

“…Estudos recentes que analisaram o nível de atividade física em universitários corroboram estas informações (Dias et al, 2008;Madureira, Corseuil, Pelegrini, & Petroski, 2009;Marcondelli et al, 2008). Os resultados encontrados por Sousa (2011), numa revisão sistemática sobre a inatividade física em universitários brasileiros, apontam para elevada prevalência de indivíduos inativos ou insuficientemente ativos fisicamente, o que também tem sido verificado em estudos internacionais (Hawker, 2012;Musharrafieh et al, 2008;Raynor, & Jankowiak, 2010), independente da área de conhecimento dos estudantes pesquisados e do instrumento utilizado para mensurar a atividade física. Este quadro pode ser explicado devido às situações inerentes ao processo de transição da adolescência para a idade adulta, caracterizado por intensas alterações biológicas e instabilidade psicossocial (Vieira, Priore, Ribeiro, Franceschini, & Almeida, 2002).…”