Association between sedentary behavior, sleep efficiency and sleep duration: a cross-sectional study among university students
Madilyn Reed, Bridgett Tierney, Bruna Lynch
Introduction: Sedentary behavior (SB), sleep efficiency (SE), and sleep duration (SD) have been recognized as independent health risk factors. However, recent scientific evidence regarding associations between these variables in young adults remains unknown. Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the association between accelerometer-measured SB, SE, and SD among university students. Methods: The sample will consist of undergraduate university students, ages 18-20 years, enrolled in a University in the Southern region of the United States (Lander University, Greenwood, SC). Participants will be allocated into three groups: i) Activity (ACT): students participating in activity classes; ii) Wellness for Life (WFL): students enrolled in PEES 175 courses (Wellness for Life); iii) Control (CON): non-PEES students who are not enrolled in activity courses nor Wellness for Life courses. A sample size of 60 participants is expected (n= 20 participants per group). The ActiGraph GT3X+ triaxial accelerometer (ActiGraph, LLC, Pensacola, FL, USA) will be used to assess SB, SE, and SD. Independent and dependent variables will be checked for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Comparison between groups will be performed using independent sample t-tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical data. A binary logistic regression analysis will be conducted between independent and dependent variables. The level of significance will be set at 5% and analyses will be conducted using the SPSS software (IBM SPSS Statistics, version 26). Expected Results: We hypothesize that prolonged SB (e.g., screen viewing, smartphone use, and computer playing) will be associated with shorter SD and lower SE among university students.
Madilyn Reed graduated from Midland Valley High School in Graniteville, South Carolina. She is current a senior in the exercise science program with emphasis on occupational therapy at Lander University and is conducting research with Dr. Bruna Lynch. She has over 450 hours of observation/experience in the field of occupational therapy. Other achievements include being the first person to win Peach Belt Conference Setter of the Year two years in a row, as well as achieving many other athletic awards while maintaining academic excellence.
Bridgett Tierney graduated from Davie County High School in Mocksville, North Carolina. She is currently a senior exercise science major at Lander University, where she consistently excels in the classroom. Along with her research with Dr. Bruna Lynch, Bridgett has internship experience in chiropractic care and transitional/cardiac rehab. She is a four-year member of the Lander Softball Team, and has been named to the Peach Belt All-Academic Team and Peach Belt Presidential Honor Roll.