Abstract
PURPOSE: The advancement from enrollment to graduation places a continually increasing amount of stress on undergraduate students as course work becomes more rigorous and time consuming. This might limit the time college students devote to strength training and aerobic exercise activities. The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between class rank and age of college students and exercise habits. METHODS: Participants were 42 college students (66.7% female and 33.3% male (age: 21.88 ± 2.1 yrs, height: 168.75 ± 9.4 cm, weight: 68.14 ± 14.0 kg). Participants reported to the lab initially and had basic anthropometric data collected as well as a one minute bent knee sit-up assessment. Approximately 7 days post strength endurance testing, participants were administered a 6-item questionnaire to determine time spent daily on activities (computer use, video gaming, weight training, aerobic exercise). RESULTS: Bivariate correlations were performed to determine the statistical relationship between the age and class standing of the students and the one-minute bent knee sit-up assessment and aerobic exercise habits item on the survey. Year in college was significantly negatively correlated to one minute bent knee sit up performance (r = -0.334, p = 0.015). The age of the students was negatively correlated to reported aerobic exercise habits (r = -0.349, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: A negative relationship existed among the sampled college students' age and class standing and strength endurance and aerobic exercise habits. This inverse relationship suggests a trend of reduced physical activity for college-aged students with advancing age and class. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study suggests that college aged student need to be aware of the level of physical activity, and attempt to maintain adequate levels as they advance towards graduation. Given the level of obesity in our society, keeping graduating undergraduate students aware of their physical activity levels might be an effective way to combat obesity in young adults. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]