Thesis Format
Monograph
Degree
Master of Science
Program
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Supervisor
Irwin, Jennifer D.
Abstract
The extensive physical and mental health implications of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep are irrefutable. The COVID-19 pandemic has had drastic consequences on university students and their already poor movement behaviours. Recommendations for a healthful distribution of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep were presented in the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults. The current research sought to report the prevalence of Ontario undergraduate university students meeting the Guidelines approximately two and a half years into the pandemic and assess the association between meeting the Guidelines and perceived social support. A total of 508 undergraduate students registered at 19 universities across Ontario completed the online survey. Only one participant (0.2%) met all recommendations set out in the Guidelines. Biserial correlation revealed a small significant correlation between meeting the sedentary time component of the Guidelines and social support. Meaningful intervention is needed to improve the movement behaviours of university students.
Summary for Lay Audience
Participating in enough physical activity and sleep while also limiting sedentary behaviour has been associated with countless health benefits. Unfortunately, university students have struggled to participate in recommended amounts of these behaviours. The pandemic has negatively impacted university students’ already poor movement behaviours. In 2020, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology released new guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep, entitled “The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults.” In the current study, the research team aimed to assess how many Ontario undergraduate university students were meeting the Guidelines approximately two and a half years into the pandemic. This study also looked at whether perceived social support (i.e., the perception of help received from interpersonal relationships) was associated with university students meeting the Guidelines. A total of 508 undergraduate students registered at 19 universities across Ontario completed the online survey. Only one participant (0.2%) met all recommendations set out in the Guidelines. Students most often met individual recommendations for moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity, when walking was included. Students most often did not meet recommendations for recreational screen time. Biserial correlation revealed a small significant correlation between meeting the sedentary time component and social support. The stark lack of students meeting the Guidelines is concerning. Meaningful intervention is needed to improve the movement behaviours of university students. Social support may be beneficial to help students improve their movement behaviours, specifically by helping to reduce their sedentary time.
Recommended Citation
Contini, Nia, "The Prevalence of Ontario Undergraduate University Students Meeting the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines and the Role of Perceived Social Support" (2023). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 9312.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/9312