Abstract
Aim: To determine the physical activity, sedentary behaviour, muscle strengthening habits and swimming ability in a sample of Bond University medicine and allied health students. Design: Cross-sectional study.
Methods: Two hundred and eighty-nine first-year students from medicine and allied health programs completed an online survey in May and September 2024.
Results: Students were highly active with 86% meeting or exceeding 500 metabolic equivalent of task (MET) minutes per week. 60% of students reported sitting for less than eight hours per day. Only 5% of the students were inactive and reported high sitting time (more than 8 hours per day). Fewer than half (47%) met the twice weekly muscle strengthening recommendation, with males more likely to do this than females. Students reported that they were very competent or fairly competent in their ability to swim 25 (82%), 100 (69%) and 500 (44%) metres. A high proportion of international students (39%) reported they were not at all confident in being able to swim 500 metres.
Conclusion: A large proportion of Bond University students exhibit healthy physical activity behaviours that are beyond the recommended guidelines, and moderate sitting times. Half of the students surveyed do not meet the muscle strengthening recommendations. International students report the lowest levels of competency for swimming ability across all swimming distances. Key Practice Points: High activity levels and moderate sitting times mean students are likely to experience associated health benefits. Increased focus on strengthening activities especially in females and swimming coaching for international students should be prioritised.
Methods: Two hundred and eighty-nine first-year students from medicine and allied health programs completed an online survey in May and September 2024.
Results: Students were highly active with 86% meeting or exceeding 500 metabolic equivalent of task (MET) minutes per week. 60% of students reported sitting for less than eight hours per day. Only 5% of the students were inactive and reported high sitting time (more than 8 hours per day). Fewer than half (47%) met the twice weekly muscle strengthening recommendation, with males more likely to do this than females. Students reported that they were very competent or fairly competent in their ability to swim 25 (82%), 100 (69%) and 500 (44%) metres. A high proportion of international students (39%) reported they were not at all confident in being able to swim 500 metres.
Conclusion: A large proportion of Bond University students exhibit healthy physical activity behaviours that are beyond the recommended guidelines, and moderate sitting times. Half of the students surveyed do not meet the muscle strengthening recommendations. International students report the lowest levels of competency for swimming ability across all swimming distances. Key Practice Points: High activity levels and moderate sitting times mean students are likely to experience associated health benefits. Increased focus on strengthening activities especially in females and swimming coaching for international students should be prioritised.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages | 624 of Abstract book |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2025 |
| Event | Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference 2025 - Adelaide, Australia Duration: 23 Oct 2025 → 25 Oct 2025 https://physiotherapy.eventsair.com/apasc25/ |
Conference
| Conference | Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference 2025 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Adelaide |
| Period | 23/10/25 → 25/10/25 |
| Internet address |