Intervention Program Among University Student to Promote Physical Activity and Reduce the Sedentary Time

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
as a global pandemic. In France, all universities have been closed on 16th March 2020. In
September 2020, face-to-face teaching restarted in French universities, but with new
constraints (e.g., reducing number of students in classrooms, wearing masks) and significant
changes in teachings (e.g., distance and/or hybrid education). In October 2020, several
French universities closed down again due to significant contamination among students.
Finally, on 30th October 2020, the French government imposed a second lockdown and all
universities have been closed. It is only in February 2021 that face-to-face teaching started
again in French universities (within the limit of 50% of the universities' capacity and 20%
of the teachings). Since the beginning of the pandemic, university students have faced many
challenges and without any preparation.

Even before the pandemic, university students were identified as a population with unhealthy
lifestyles and habits, notably reflected in high levels of sedentary behavior, low levels of
physical activity and unhealthy diet. Studies conducted during the first lockdown have shown
an increase in unhealthy lifestyles;

The deleterious effects of the pandemic on students' health are now evident. However, some
areas of research are still under-explored.

1. The majority of research is largely descriptive and do not identify the factors involved
in the deterioration of health

2. To date, no interventional studies have been conducted to prevent the deterioration of
students' health.

Investigators expect a 9-week intervention. During the first week, a workshop of the
co-construction with the users will be realized in order to remove the barriers to the
practice of a physical activity. The aim of co-construction with users is to obtain better
adherence to program, based on needs and not decided from above. Then, a group information
session focusing on the promotion of active behaviors will be organize, and physical
activities (moderate to vigorous) will be proposed for 8 weeks, twice a week.

The main goal of the study is to propose innovative program to promote PA (Physical Activity)
and reduce ST (Sedentary Time) of young adults aged over 18 from university of Nîmes. The
levels of PA and ST of the experimental group will be compared to a control group with the
realization of pre and post intervention measures.