Exercise

     The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that people get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity most days of the week. Brisk walking, jogging, and swimming are easy ways to boost your heart rate and promote cardiovascular health. Exercise can also help lower blood pressure and counter stress. For women, exercise that makes the body and bones bear weight - like walking or running - may reduce the risk of osteoporosis (a condition of porous bone or a disease in which bones become more fragile) later in life.

 

Physical Activity in College

Physical activity is an extremely important part of a healthy lifestyle.  Not only does it prevent diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, non-insulin dependent diabetes, and osteoporosis, but it also has been shown to improve mental health and mood.[i]  Among college students, regular physical activity has been linked to better health and psychological well-being during the transition from high school to college life.[ii]  A study conducted by Brown et al[iii] revealed that male college students who did not participate in sports were 2.5 times more likely to report suicidal behaviors than men who were sports participants.  Among women, the research showed that those not participating in sports were 1.67 times more likely to report suicidal behaviors than those participating in sports. 

It is recommended that adults engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on 5 or more days per week and at least 20 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity at least 3 days per week.  The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey (BRFSS) reported that only 26.9% of males and 25.4% of females between the ages of 18 and 29 meet the recommendation for either moderate or vigorous activity on a weekly basis.  In addition, the survey revealed that individuals who complete college are more likely to meet the recommendations for moderate or vigorous physical activity than those who have not attended college. 

 

Physical Activity at Skidmore

Few Skidmore students are meeting the recommendations for physical activity.  Nearly 25% reported activity levels meeting the recommendations for moderate activity, and 29% met the recommendation for vigorous activity.  However, only 7.5% met the full recommendation for moderate and vigorous physical activity.  Students cited many reasons for their lack of physical activity including:

• 69.6% said they did not have enough time to exercise
• 46.4% said that exercise is not convenient
• 46.4% said that they lack will power for exercise
• 30.4% said that they feel self conscious of how they look when exercising
• 30.4% said that they don’t have someone to exercise with
• Other reasons given for not exercising included lack of interest, bad weather, feeling uncomfortable, lacking energy, not having needed equipment, and not enjoying activity.

 

Skidmore students who engage in physical activity report that they do so to improve their health (81.4%), to feel better about themselves (80.7%), to maintain or lose weight (73.5%), to tone their muscles (64.4%), to build endurance (63%), to manage stress (62.8%), and because it is fun (56%).

 

Student preferences - time of day they prefer to exercise	Weekdays (% of students)	Weekend Days (% of students)
Morning	28%	34%
Afternoon	51%	67%
Evening	44%	16%

 

Use of Skidmore Facilities

Skidmore students report limited use of the athletic center and other opportunities for physical activity on campus.  Specifically,

• 62.8% have never taken a physical activity course at Skidmore
• 39% have never used the weight rooms
• 25% have never used the cardio equipment
• 62% have never used the pool
• 47% have never used the North Woods trails
• 81% are not on an athletic team
• 76% have never participated in intramurals

 

How can you get more exercise? Study your daily routine. When do you get up? When do you study and for how long? And when do you go to bed? Note the times when you can fit in 5, 15 or 30 minutes of physical activity. If you shower in the morning, try to squeeze 15-30 minutes of vigorous activities right before getting your shower (even if it means getting up 15 minutes earlier). If you shower before going to bed, then you should consider doing your most strenuous workout in the evening.

Consider the time you spend studying. If some of your study sessions (this includes time spent in front of the computer) are longer than an hour, then consider making a 5-10 minute workout after every 50-55 minutes of studying. Not only will you help your body, but you will also help your mind concentrate better.

Noteworthy Programs:

• There are several sports teams and intramural sports teams to increase or maintain students’ levels of physical activity, as well as club sport like the snow sports club, the cycling club, the running club, and yoga. To find out more information about Intramural Sports, visit the website at Intramural Sports/ or, if you want to join a sports team, you can find more information at Skidmore Athletics.

The Student Government Association website also has information about club sports at Club Sports.

• Students also have the opportunity to take dance and physical education classes for credit. Check the master schedule for information about scheduling and availability:  Master Schedule