redesigning college male exercise habits
TRANSCRIPT
Redesigning College Male Exercise Habits
how small habits can converge to overall healthier living
@[email protected] ©Jasonvdm
2012
The Issues for College Males
“Research consistently shows that men engage in far fewer health-promoting behaviors and have less healthy lifestyle patterns than women.” “For example, they consistently score
lower on an index of health-protective behavior that includes safety belt use, sleep, health information, eating habits, and exercise.”
Journal of American College Health*
*Courtenay, Will H., PHD. "College Men’s Health: An Overview and a Call to Action." American College Health (1998): n. pag. Print.
Students are in a new environment where they have full control over their health behaviors.
©Jasonvdm 2012
What are some of the problems?
“Time and distance are big problems for me when it comes to exercising.” – Edward, Stanford 2015 “The closest gym is 2 – 3 miles from
me since I live off campus. Sometimes I forget.” – Sam W, Virginia Tech 2015“Exercising has lower priority.”
– Joseph M, Belmont 2016
“I’m too busy trying to balance school and work.” Nicholas C, Tennessee 2015
©Jasonvdm 2012
Ways to Combat These Problems
Design for Time Utilize Technology
Eliminate Distance
©Jasonvdm 2012
Eliminate DistanceBring the Gym to the Dorm
“After I put up a pull-up bar in my doorway, many other guys in my frat did the same thing.” – Kai K, Stanford 2014
"The pull-up bar was, for me, transcendental. It was the gateway exercise that led to an increasingly feverish pursuit of fitness and the experience of newly unbounded dimensions of personal health.” – Mauricio A, Stanford 2015
Putting a pull-up bar in the doorway allows students to do a myriad of exercises without ever leaving the dorm. The presence of the bar elicited constant exercise.
©Jasonvdm 2012
Eliminate DistanceBring the Gym to the Dorm
“Putting dumbbells in the open acted as a gateway to exercising more frequently and for longer amounts of time.” – Dennis, Stanford 2015
“Once I placed dumbbells out in the open, I was able to work out every evening without going anywhere. Seeing the dumbbells lying on my floor as I finished my homework acted as a reminder. I never forget to work out now.” – Oscar M, Stanford 2015
By placing equipment out in the open, like dumbbells, students found it much easier to begin, and continue, exercising in their dorm. It was as easy as picking an item up.
©Jasonvdm 2012
Design for TimeKeep the Programs Short
The main goal is to get students to remove themselves from behind a desk and exercise, so there are many programs applicable. Think pilates, sit-ups, resistance bands, stretching, medicine ball throws and more.
100 Push Ups is an amazing program that guides users to achieve 100 push ups over the course of 6 – 10 weeks. This program takes ~10 minutes only three days of the week. Many students were excited to try it out.
Get rid of the notion that working out needs to happen for 1 hour+ at a gym. Short, 10-15 minute exercises can be just as effective and can be integrated into students’ lives with much more ease.
©Jasonvdm 2012
Utilize TechnologyCell Phones are Ubiquitous
I also used their phone numbers to text reminders and encouragement. Texting proved to be a good way to trigger working out.
I asked 15 college sophomore males to add “work out” to their mobile calendars. Two weeks later, all said that scheduling helped them considerably in finding time to exercise, both in the dorm room and in the gym.“I can’t believe the effect this has had on me. I definitely work out more now, despite my busy class and homework schedule.” – Alec W, Stanford 2015
©Jasonvdm 2012
Combine These Insights
Design for Time Utilize Technology
Eliminate Distance
One program
©Jasonvdm 2012
This Program Would…
Use texting and email for communication and triggers Be directed at college
malesIntegrate short, time sensitive programs
Be dynamic, adapting to each user
Allow users to sign up online, but not require users to be repeat visitors
©Jasonvdm 2012
Are Students Interested?
“I would really like to sign up for a program which respected my time but acted as my workout buddy – encouraging me and giving me workout suggestions each day.” – Andrew P, Stanford 2015
©Jasonvdm 2012
My Goal
My goal this winter is to build this program into a website, applying
the research that I have conducted and hopefully helping college males become and stay
healthier.
©Jasonvdm 2012
Who am I?
My name is Jason and I am a sophomore at Stanford University. Selfishly, I pursued this project because I struggle with finding time to exercise regularly and effectively. My hope is that my work make a difference in the lives of other college males.Contact Me: [email protected]
@Jasonvdm
©Jasonvdm 2012