Abstract

As sedentary lifestyles become increasingly common, it is essential for individuals to meet the recommended guidelines for both physical activity and sleep duration. Numerous factors influence the amount of sleep and activity students get, and both sufficient sleep and regular physical activity offer significant health benefits. To examine this potential relationship, data was collected from students at The College of Wooster in Wooster Ohio, from Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters from 32 students. While previous studies on physical activity and sleep have primarily focused on large or international schools, this study explored the relationship within a small liberal arts college setting. Participants wore a Fitbit Inspire 2 for one academic week, during which both quantitative and qualitive data points were collected. Quantitative data collected included steps, sleep duration, heart rate, credits taken, ratings of sleep quality and stress level, etc. Qualitative data included class year, major, participation in sports, and employment. Results indicated that while most students exceeded the recommended step count, their average sleep duration fell slightly below the recommended 7–9 hours. A significant difference was found in sleep quality between STEM and non-STEM majors, with STEM students reporting lower quality sleep. However, no significant relationship was found between physical activity levels and sleep duration. While the direct relationship between,physical activity and sleep remains inconclusive, both have benefits that are overall crucial for one’s health.

Advisor

Brandley, Nicholas

Department

Biology

Disciplines

Biology | Other Public Health

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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Available for download on Wednesday, July 24, 2030

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© Copyright 2025 Allyson E. Siewert