Physical Activity Among

College Seniors
Manjeet Kaur, Cherith Mendoza, Jennifer Rivas
Is physical inactivity a global public health problem?
● YES, physical inactivity is a global public health problem!
● More than 80% of adults do not meet the guidelines for both aerobic and
muscle-strengthening activities (ODPHP, 2014).
Physical activity: Any bodily
movement produced by the
contraction of skeletal muscle that
increases energy expenditure above
a basal level. (CDC, 2017)
Physical inactivity: a term used
to identify people who do not get the
recommended level of regular physical
activity. (NY Department of Health,
1999)
Why is physical activity important?

● Regular physical activity can

improve health and quality of
life.
○ Participation in moderate-
and vigorous-intensity
physical activities and
muscle-strengthening
activities (ODPHP, 2014).
 Relevance to Community
Globally, around 31% of adults aged 15
and over were insufficiently active in
2008 (men 28% and women 34%).
Approximately 3.2 million deaths each
year are attributable to insufficient
physical activity (WHO, 2017).
● violence
● high-density traffic
● low air quality,
pollution
● lack of parks,
sidewalks and
sports/recreation
facilities.
 Physical Activity and Socioeconomic Status

● Adults with more education are more

likely to meet the 2008 Physical Guideline
for aerobic activity than adults with less
education (CDC, 2017).

● Adults whose family income is above the

poverty level are more likely to meet the
2008 Physical Activity Guideline for
aerobic activity than adults whose family
income is at or near the poverty level
(CDC, 2017).
 Race/Ethnicity/Sex
● More non-Hispanic white adults (23%) meet the
2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for aerobic and
muscle-strengthening activity than non-Hispanic
black adults (18%) and Hispanic adults (16%)
(CDC, 2017).
● Men (54%) are more likely than women (46%) to
meet the 2008 Physical Activity Guideline for
aerobic activity (CDC, 2017).
● Younger adults are more likely to meet the 2008
Physical Activity Guideline for aerobic activity
than older adults (CDC, 2017).
Physical Activity Guidelines
Adults 18 to 64 (CDC, 2015)
● At least 150 minutes (2 hours & 30 min) a
week of moderate intensity AND muscle
strengthening activities on 2 or more days a
week that work the major muscles
Or
● 75 minutes (1 hour & 15 min) of vigorous
intensity aerobic activity or equivalent
combination of moderate and vigorous
intensity aerobic activity
○ 2 or more days a week of muscle
strengthening
More Health Benefits
● 300 minutes (5 hours) a week of
moderate-intensity, or 150 minutes a week
of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical
activity, or an equivalent combination.
 Types of Physical Activity (USDA, 2015)

Moderate-intensity: Aerobic activity that Muscle-strengthening: Exercise that

increases a person's heart rate to some extent. increases skeletal muscle strength,
● Brisk walking power, endurance, and mass
● Water Aerobics ● Weightlifting
● Pushing a lawn mower ● Body weight exercises
● Dancing ● Sit-ups, push ups
● Swimming ● Power rowing
● Bicycling (level terrain) ● Resistance band workouts

Vigorous-Intensity: Aerobic activity that greatly

increases a person’s heart rate or breathing.
● Hiking
● Jogging or running
● Playing basketball
● Swimming laps
● Bicycling uphill
● Jogging stairs
 Question for the class!

What are the three types of physical

activities?
 How can physical activity benefit me? (ODPHP, 2014)

Physical activity lowers the Physical activity can

risk of: increase:
● Early death ● Endurance
● Coronary heart ● Stamina
disease ● Muscle mass
● Stroke ● Strength
● High blood pressure ● Quality of sleep
● Type 2 diabetes ● Mood
● Breast and colon ● Memory
cancer
● Falls
● Anxiety/Depression
 Question for the class!

Physical activity lowers the risk of?

a. Traffic accidents
b. Pollution
c. Falls
d. Sleeping in
Factors positively associated with Factors negatively associated with

adult physical activity include: adult physical activity include:

● Belief in ability to exercise

● Advancing age
(self-efficacy)
● Low income
● Social support from peers,
● Lack of time
family, or spouse
● Low motivation
● Access to and satisfaction
● Being disabled
with facilities

● Safe neighborhoods
 Question for the class!

True or False?
● Self-efficacy is a factor negatively associated
with adult physical activity.
College Students
Benefits for College Students:
(University of Michigan, 2016)
● Reduced psychiatric symptoms
● Reduced stress resulting from
burning off stress chemicals-
adrenaline ● Improved memory
● Release of endorphins ● Increased energy
○ chemicals that have a ● Improved sleep
naturally relaxing and ● Improved focus
calming effect on the body ● Additional opportunities to meet
● Better regulation of mood others with similar interests
● Weight loss
● Increased sense of accomplishment
● Distraction from negative thinking
and self-esteem
Question for the class!
Which of the following is not a benefit of
exercising?
a. Release of endorphins
b. Increased sense of self-esteem
c. Distraction from negative thinking
d. Increased ability to party
 Increasing Physical Activity
1. Incorporate into your schedule Ask yourself, what can I do to be more
physically active throughout the day ?
2. Access free/low-cost Resources
a. University Gym (SRWC)
b. Planet Fitness

3. Think outside the box!

a. Park, Beach

4. Grab a Workout Buddy!

5. Change up your routine

a. Take the stairs
b. Take an exercise class
c. Wake up earlier
d. Do what you enjoy!
i. Dance
Question for the class!

Which of the following is an access free/

low-cost resource available on campus?
a. University gym (SWRC)
b. East/West gym
c. CSULB awkward pool
d. All of the above
 Fitness Zones (Parks, Recreation, and Marine, n.d.)

Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Fitness

Zones are scattered through Long Beach.

● Free, easy to use outdoor gyms!

● Nearby walking trails
● Safe and fun environment

Fitness Zones include:

● Leg press
● Stand up pendulum for abdominal exercise
● Cross country ski machine
● Press and pull apparatus for upper body exercise
● Paved path for circuit training.
● Vertical press for legs and arms
● Pull down lifts for back muscles
● Chest press
● Accessible for persons with disabilities.
Public Service Announcement Video
 References

Appendix 1. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. (n.d.). Retrieved May 08, 2017, from
https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-1/
University of Michigan. (2016). Exercise. Campusmindworks.org. Retrieved from
http://campusmindworks.org/students/self_care/exercise.asp
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Facts about physical activity. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/data/facts.htm
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Physical activity. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Physical activity. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/glossary/index.htm
New York State Department of Health. (1999). Physical inactivity and cardiovascular disease.
Retrieved from https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/chronic/cvd.htm
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2017). Physical activity. HealthyPeople.gov.
Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/physical-activity
Parks, Recreation and Marine. (n.d.). Retrieved May 08, 2017, from
http://www.longbeach.gov/park/recreation-programs/sports-and-athletics/fitness-zones/
United States Department of Agriculture. (2015). Physical activity. ChooseMyPlate.gov. Retrieved from
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/physical-activity-what-is
World Health Organization. (2017). Physical inactivity: a global public health problem. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_inactivity/en/