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The Association of Smartphone Usage Duration with Physical Fitness among Chinese University Students

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Listed:
  • Wang Li

    (Department of Physical Education, Institute of Exercise Epidemiology, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian 223003, China)

  • Yufei Cui

    (Department of Physical Education, Institute of Exercise Epidemiology, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian 223003, China)

  • Qiang Gong

    (Department of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai 9808575, Japan)

  • Cong Huang

    (Department of Physical Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310007, China)

  • Feng Guo

    (Department of Physical Education, Institute of Exercise Epidemiology, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian 223003, China)

Abstract

Background: The use of smartphones has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, especially among the youth. However, smartphone overuse has been reported to be related to several negative mental and physical health outcomes. Although the association between smartphone use and physical fitness has been investigated in several studies, these studies only focused on specific elements of physical fitness, such as grip strength. In addition, evidence on young adults is limited. Thus, this study aimed to examine the association between the duration of smartphone use and physical fitness among Chinese university students. Methods: A total of 11,242 university students volunteered to participate in the study. The duration of smartphone use was assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. Physical fitness tests consisted of a 50-m sprint and vital capacity tests for both sexes, a 1000-m run and pull-up test for male students, and an 800-m run and sit-up test for female students. Results: The duration of smartphone use among the participants was 5.4 h/day for male students and 6.1 h/day for female students on average. After adjusting for confounding factors, in male students, a long duration of smartphone use was significantly associated with a slow 50 m sprint and 1000 m run time, lower pull-up times, and poor vital capacity ( p = 0.004, 0.002, 0.002 and 0.040, respectively). In female students, a long duration of smartphone use was associated with a slow 800 m run time ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study found that longer duration of smartphone use was associated with lower physical fitness among Chinese university students. The duration of smartphone use may be an influencing factor for physical fitness.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang Li & Yufei Cui & Qiang Gong & Cong Huang & Feng Guo, 2022. "The Association of Smartphone Usage Duration with Physical Fitness among Chinese University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-9, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:1:p:572-:d:717988
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah E. Domoff & Emma Q. Sutherland & Sonja Yokum & Ashley N. Gearhardt, 2020. "Adolescents’ Addictive Phone Use: Associations with Eating Behaviors and Adiposity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-10, April.
    2. Alfredo Bravo-Sánchez & Javier Morán-García & Pablo Abián & Javier Abián-Vicén, 2021. "Association of the Use of the Mobile Phone with Physical Fitness and Academic Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-11, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zihan Tong & Zhenxing Kong & Xiao Jia & Jingjing Yu & Tingting Sun & Yimin Zhang, 2023. "Spatial Heterogeneity and Regional Clustering of Factors Influencing Chinese Adolescents’ Physical Fitness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-18, February.

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