Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in University Students

University years represent a critical transition during which many young adults experience a marked reduction in habitual physical activity alongside a rise in sedentary behaviour. Academic pressures, screen-based study and social habits combine to extend daily sitting time, often beyond eight hours. Such prolonged inactivity is linked to weight gain, metabolic dysregulation and adverse psychological outcomes including anxiety and depression. Conversely, regular engagement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity supports cardiovascular fitness, musculoskeletal health and cognitive functioning, and can mitigate stress. Patterns vary by gender, field of study and year of enrolment, with first-year and female students frequently at higher risk of inactivity. Measurement spans self-report questionnaires and wearable devices, revealing that light-intensity activities such as standing or slow walking can interrupt sedentary periods and confer measurable benefits. A growing body of evidence underlines the need for multi-level interventions—ranging from standing desks in lecture theatres to curriculum adjustments that embed activity breaks—to foster more balanced movement behaviours and support long-term health trajectories.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in University Students publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in physical activity and sedentary behavior in university students across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Physical activity: Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure, ranging from light-intensity tasks to vigorous exercise.

Sedentary behaviour: Waking activities characterised by low energy expenditure (≤1.5 metabolic equivalents) while sitting, reclining or lying down.

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA): Physical activities that substantially elevate heart rate and energy use above resting levels, such as brisk walking, cycling or running.

Light-intensity physical activity (LIPA): Activities requiring minimal effort beyond rest, including standing, slow ambulation and routine household tasks, which can interrupt prolonged sitting.

References

1. Sedentary behavior is associated with the mental health of university students during the Covid-19 pandemic, and not practicing physical activity accentuates its adverse effects: cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health (2024).
2. Sedentary time of university students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: Risk groups and pre-pandemic predictors using cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Frontiers in Public Health (2023).
3. Prolonged Sitting in University Students: An Intra-Individual Study Exploring Physical Activity Value as a Deterrent. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023).
4. Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in University Students–The Role of Gender, Age, Field of Study, Targeted Degree, and Study Semester. Frontiers in Public Health (2022).
5. Learning to Stand: The Acceptability and Feasibility of Introducing Standing Desks into College Classrooms. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2016).