This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Every fall in the United States, millions of young people move to college campuses, away from home for the first time. During this transition, they typically develop new social networks and routines as they learn to live on their own.
One of the most important routines college students can intentionally develop is regular physical activity, according to Melissa Bopp, a professor of kinesiology at Penn State. Most young adults get less physical activity than they did as high school students, and their activity levels drop even more when the weather turns cold, Bopp said. In recent years, college students in the U.S. have developed historically high rates of multiple health risks, with more than 30% of students—40% of men and 22% of women—experiencing high blood pressure and nearly a third experiencing depression or anxiety.
Bopp, who has conducted dozens of studies on promoting physical activity and health among college students, said colleges and universities can help students establish physical activity habits that lead to lifelong health. In a recent study, she found that participating in college courses involving physical activity was associated with lower perceived stress and fewer symptoms of depression among college students. In this Q&A, Bopp discussed why college is a critical time for participating in physical activity, how colleges can get their students moving and why physical activity courses can help promote student health.
Q: Why is physical activity so important? Many people think of physical activity in terms of success at sports or as a tool for weight control, but activity has enormous and well-documented social, physical and mental health benefits. Physical activity strengthens the heart and bones, improves mood, enhances mental sharpness, boosts immune system response and energy levels, reduces the risk of anxiety and depression, and improves sleep quality.
To be clear, everyone gets those benefits, not just young people, but some are particularly important for young adults. Generally speaking, college students have terrible sleep habits, so improving sleep really matters in this population. Also, anyone living in a dorm knows they will encounter every single germ, so the immune boost is important.
Finally, college students—especially in their first year—experience a lot of stress from a new living arrangement and increased academic expectations, so the mental health benefits can be critical to their well-being. Q: What prevents people from remaining physically active after high school? Young adults typically experience a lot of transitions as they move back and forth to college or switch households as they establish their working lives.
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