Disrupting sedentary cycles

How RRC Polytech students stay active on campus

By: Dre DeBattista

A few weeks ago I felt sore, stiff and uninspired. I realized I was in a backslide. I was becoming increasingly inactive through the first several weeks of the college term.

I intended to fit a few hours of weekly exercise throughout the school year, but I struggled to find the time.

First my upper back was tight. Next my right hip started to hurt, and soon my whole back was achy.

Then I threw out my back bending over to retrieve a dropped pen.The pain was agonizing, so I went home to rest. I could only get relief by lying still that day.

The next day I asked my classmates, “What are you doing for physical activity?”

I learned they’re also falling victim to sedentary lifestyles all too common among students.

There are exceptions, with one classmate I spoke to regularly going to the gym and some others who play basketball together.

This piqued my curiosity about the effects of student fitness routines — or lack thereof — on their health.

Health Canada recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week for adults age 18 to 64. They also recommend several hours per day of light physical activity and no more than 8 hours per day of sedentary behaviour.

A 2021 study by Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Canada found only 9.9% of post-secondary students were meeting the movement guidelines. Students who reported higher psychological well-being. Those who identified as female, older age, White, and living at high socioeconomic status were more likely to meet the guidelines.

So, I set off to the RRC Polytech fitness facilities with a few questions in mind. Who are the students that are staying active? How do they manage it? What are their preferred activities?

Here are some answers.

Madison Gamache