Does our campus environment support physical activity?

On average, higher education students spend around 11 hours per day sitting. Prolonged sitting and sedentary behaviour are independent health risks, even if recommended levels of physical activity are achieved. Breaking up periods of sitting is important not only for health but also for learning. Supporting physical activity during the study day can help improve key cognitive skills for learning, such as attention, memory, and executive function.

At the University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Liikkuva opiskelu (Students on the Move) initiative aims to increase physical activity during the study day and promote student wellbeing and study ability. In a survey carried out earlier this year, students were invited to reflect on their own physical activity during the study day and on practices related to activity in their institution. A separate survey for teaching staff explored whether teaching methods on lessons and lectures provide opportunities for movement, break exercise, or other forms of physical activation, as well as teaching staff’s views on promoting physical activity on campus.

During the autumn semester, we are publishing a series of articles presenting the survey results and sharing tips and materials to support the promotion of physical activity. The first article focused on break exercise – this second part looks at the conditions for physical activity on campus.

Few opportunities for activity – or little awareness of them

More than half of the students who responded to the survey (n=412) felt that their institution does not offer interesting opportunities for physical activity during the study day. Over a third said they were unsure whether such opportunities existed. According to the responses, access to a gym, sports hall, and exercise equipment would be particularly motivating for students.

• 39% of respondents believed that there were no exercise equipment available to use during the study day, while nearly half were unsure whether such equipment was accessible.
• In open-ended responses, students expressed wishes for sheltered areas for break exercise, pull-up bars, different types of exercise equipment (such as sticks, resistance bands, and dumbbells), as well as ping-pong and pool tables.
• Of the teaching staff respondents (n=65), 88% considered access to a gym or sports hall important or very important for promoting physical activity on campus.
• However, more than a third of students reported moving in some way indoors between lessons at least once a week, while a similar proportion said they did not move indoors at all during breaks. Around one in ten students felt that movement was not possible at all.
• 84% of teaching staff respondents believed that teaching spaces do not include standing desks or alternative seating options such as exercise balls or saddle chairs. Teaching spaces were experienced as cramped, and their furniture was not seen as supporting physical activity or changing working positions.
• Students would like teaching spaces to include furniture that allows for variation in working positions.

Moving around campus outdoor areas

• Half of the students responding to the survey said they never moved around the campus outdoor areas between lessons.
• Among teaching staff respondents, 71% considered inviting and activity-friendly outdoor areas important or very important for promoting physical activity on campus.
• 54% of university students and 30% of Oamk students reported travelling to their studies actively, by walking or cycling, at least once a week.
• 71% of university students felt that bicycle storage facilities were good, and 40% said their institution encouraged active travel to campus. Among Oamk respondents, 64% considered storage facilities sufficient, and 25% felt encouraged to travel actively to campus.
• Of the teaching staff respondents, 91% considered sufficient bicycle storage facilities important or very important, while 86% highlighted the importance of adequate changing and shower facilities for those travelling actively to study or work.

The walking maps created by students include various walking routes in the surroundings of the Linnanmaa and Kontinkangas campuses. Each map indicates the route length and estimated walking time. The routes can be used to break up study or work days, for walking meetings, brainstorming sessions, pair or group work, or even following remote events. Each campus also includes an activity point equipped with various exercise equipment and instructions. The walking maps and details of the activity points can be found on the UniMove website.

Liikkuva opiskelu (Students on the Move) is a national programme aiming to increase movement and study ability in upper secondary and higher education. The programme is strategically led by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish National Agency for Education. If you would like more information about the Liikkuva opiskelu practices at the University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences, please contact sports designer Mari Patanen mari.patanen@oulu.fi.