College Workout
Physical Activity, Fitness and Health
January 11, 2006
Regular physical activity improves or maintains fitness and helps keep the body healthy. Exercise builds strong bones and muscles, improves range of motion in the joints, helps control weight and reduces the risk of many different types of chronic health problems (like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, back pain and some types of cancer). Regular physical activity may also reduce the risk of anxiety and depression.
The Surgeon General recommends that children and teens get 60 minutes of physical activity a day on most days of the week. Adults need 30 minutes of activity/day. Despite the recommendations, many Americans arent getting enough exercise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates nearly 50 percent of Americans 12 to 21 dont get enough regular vigorous activity. About 14 percent of adolescents and young adults arent getting any regular physical activity.
Increasing Physical Activity: The College Trend
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued a set of disease prevention and health objectives for the nation, called Healthy People 2010. One important area covered by the objectives is physical activity and fitness. Health experts want to increase the percentage of college students who participate in moderate physical activity for 30 minutes/day, three days/week to 55 percent. Three main barriers face young adults: lack of time, lack of access to facilities and lack of a safe environment in which to exercise.
Colleges and universities believe many incoming freshman are very interested in using an exercise facility. In fact, researchers rate recreation opportunities as the 11th most important benefit in a college environment. To meet the growing demand for fitness facilities, some colleges are revamping their programs and building or expanding facilities. Traditional stationary bicycles, rowing machines and free weights are now making room for state-of-the art fitness equipment.
Anne Wilkinson, Fitness Director at Temple University, says the interest in fitness facilities for college students is fueled by two main factors: many incoming college students grew up with active parents and many students have been active participants in high school competitive sports programs.
Temple University in Philadelphia, PA now promotes its three-story, 56,000 square-foot fitness center. The facility is extremely busy most hours of the day, serving about 1,500 people/day. Students can choose from one or more of the 55 hours of group fitness programs offered each week. Some sessions are so full, students must obtain tickets ahead of time to take part in a class.
AUDIENCE INQUIRY
For general information on exercise:
American Council on Exercise, http://www.acefitness.org
The Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, http://www.fitness.gov
For information about health club membership:
American College of Sportsmedicine, http://www.acsm.org
International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, http://cms.ihrsa.org
For information about Healthy People 2010, http://www.healthypeople.gov
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Butler, S., et al., "Change in Diet, Physical Activity, and Body Weight in Female College Freshman," American Journal of Health Behavior, January-February 2004, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 24-32.
Grubbs, L., and J. Carter, "The Relationship of Perceived Benefits and Barriers to Reported Exercise Behaviors in College Undergraduates," Family and Community Health, July 2002, Vol. 25, No. 21, pp. 76-84.
Gyurcsik, N., et al., "Coping with Barriers to Vigorous Physical Activity During Transition to University," Family and Community Health, April-June 2004, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 130-142.
"Health Club Membership by Club Type," Boston: International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, downloaded from website (http://cms.ihrsa.org), December 21, 2005.
Keating X., et al., "A Meta-analysis of College Students Physical Activity Behaviors," Journal of American College Health, September-October 2005, Vol. 54, No. 2, pp. 116-125.
Kilpatrick, M., et al., "College Students Motivation for Physical Activity," Journal of American College Health, September-October 2005, Vol. 54, No. 2, pp. 87-94.
"Physical Activity and Health," Washington, DC: The Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, downloaded from website (http://www.fitness.gov), December 1, 2005.
"Physical Activity Fact Sheet," Washington, DC: The Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, downloaded from website (http://www.fitness.gov), December 1, 2005.
Reed, J., and D. Phillips, "Relationships Between Physical Activity and the Proximity of Exercise Facilities and Home Equipment Used by Undergraduate University Students," Journal of American College Health, May-June 2005, Vol. 53, No. 6, pp. 285-290.
Sinaki, Mehrsheed, M.D., et al., "Site Specificity of Regular Health Club Exercise on Muscle Strength, Fitness, and Bone Density in Women Aged 29 to 45 Years," Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2004, Vol. 79, pp. 639-644.
"U.S. Health Club Membership by Age," Boston: International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, downloaded from website (http://cms.ihrsa.org), December 21, 2005.
Von Ah, Diane, Ph.D., et al., "Predictors of Health Behaviors in College Students," Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2004, Vol. 48, No. 5, pp. 463-474.
Wallace, L., and J. Buckworth, "Longitudinal Shifts in Exercise Stages of Change in College Students," Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, June 2003, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 209-212.
Research compiled and edited by Barbara J. Fister
