Introduction

Little exercise and a lot of sitting are among the most common causes of lifestyle diseases. Sitting times are particularly high among people with a high level of education, and initial studies in the university setting now indicate that a lack of exercise and sedentary behavior in particular are also widespread among students (Brandl-Bredenbeck et al., 2013; Göring & Möllenbeck, 2015). This is the starting point for the current study, which examines the movement and sitting behavior of students in the university setting in general, but also specifically in the current home-learning situation caused by COVID-19, in order to develop movement-promoting measures in a participatory manner (Helten et al.. 2020).

Methodology

Intervention: Since summer 2018, cooperative processes lasting approximately 1.5 years have been carried out in which various stakeholders planned and implemented measures to promote physical activity among students. The measures relate to both analog measures on campus and digital measures that can be used both on campus and from home.

The evaluation takes place in a pre-post-test design. In the pre-survey, a convenience sample of students from various degree programmes at two universities (N=512 University A; N=315 University B) was surveyed using standardized questionnaires on movement and sitting behavior (sitting times, interruptions to sitting, everyday movement at the university) as well as barriers and needs. The post-survey to query the perception and use of measures as well as the changed movement and sitting behavior when studying at home due to COVID-19 is currently taking place.

Results

The analyses of the pre-survey show that the students surveyed sit for an average of 34.3 hours per week (s = 20.01 hours) in the context of their studies. In courses and in the library, among other places, the average sitting time was 17 hours (s = 11.98 hours) and 9.8 hours (s = 13.28 hours) respectively. Everyday movements (low-intensity activities, such as walking from a course to the cafeteria) on campus and active transportation to/from the university amount to 6.1 hours per week (s = 5.98 hours). The differences in movement and sitting behavior were statistically tested depending on socio-demographic variables and university affiliation. For example, younger students sit longer in lectures than older students and the latter sit longer in the library than younger students. For this reason, universities have introduced active breaks for students in lectures and seminars, both digitally (videos that can be accessed by lecturers and students) and in face-to-face form. Students also stated that they would like to see more advertising and incentives for exercise. Measures to visualize routes and distances, a navigation app to exercise locations and an exercise and sports partner exchange, where training and exercise partners can be searched for and found online via the university, are based on this.

The post-survey to analyze movement and sitting behavior is currently taking place. Due to the COVID-19 situation, this has been extended to include a survey on home learning. Differentiated results will be presented in the lecture.

Discussion

The results of the study underline the need to develop measures to reduce and interrupt sitting times of students during their stay at the university as well as at home during self-study. An increased need for action with regard to home learning due to COVID-19 can be assumed. These comparative results will be presented in the lecture.

Literature list (APA):

Brandl-Bredenbeck, H. P., Kämpfer, A. & Köster, C. (2013). Studying today. Health-promoting or health-endangering? A lifestyle analysis (1st ed.). Aachen: Meyer & Meyer.

Göring, A. & Möllenbeck, D. (2015). Physical activity-oriented health promotion at universities. Göttingen: Göttingen University Press.

Helten, J., Hoffmann, S., Sommoggy, J. von, Loss, J., Germelmann, C. & Tittlbach, S. (2020). Smart Moving: Movement and sitting behavior of students. In B. Wollesen, C. Meixner, J. Gräf, I. Pahmeier, L. Vogt & A. Woll (Eds.), Interdisciplinary Research & Health Promotion in Living Environments. Promoting, networking and sustainably shaping physical activity (pp. 80-85). Hamburg: Czwalina.