THE MOVEMENT CAMPUS: A DISCUSSION PAPER ON EVIDENCE-BASED SUPPORT FOR LIGHT-INTENSITY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN STUDENTS’ MENTAL WELLNESS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37134/Keywords:
light-intensity physical activity, mental wellness, biopsychosocial modelAbstract
As the world is growing rapidly, students are facing immense challenges that affect their mental health negatively. The prevalence of psychological disorders among students is rising globally, highlighting the urgent need for accessible and effective interventions. The paper advocates for the integration of Light-intensity physical activity (LIPA) as a strategic move to improve students’ mental wellness which has been underutilized over the years despite being better suited to students. Instead of collecting primary data, this paper synthesizes evidence from recent academic literatures, public health reports, and theoretical frameworks with particular emphasis on the biopsychosocial model of health. LIPA is presented as beneficial across biological, psychological, and social domains ranging from neurochemical regulation and stress reduction to enhanced mood and social connectedness. The evidence-based discussion reported that LIPA is accessible, adaptable, and suitable for diverse student populations, including those with physical or psychological constraints while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may offer a few consequences like physical discomfort, financial burden, or overstimulation. The paper also outlines the limited presence of LIPA in global health guidelines and proposes practical policy recommendations tailored for educational institutions, such as faculty-led gardening and classroom shifting. These strategies aim to create a movement-friendly campus environment, reduce sedentary behaviors, and promote sustainable well-being of the student community.
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