Acceptability and Feasibility of Under-Desk Elliptical Trainers to Disrupt Sedentary Library Time Among Historically Black College and University Students

Cameron Smith¹ and Christoph Leonhard^1,

¹Clinical PsyD Program, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, United States

Cite this paper:
Cameron Smith and Christoph Leonhard. Acceptability and Feasibility of Under-Desk Elliptical Trainers to Disrupt Sedentary Library Time Among Historically Black College and University Students. Journal of Physical Activity Research. 2022; 7(2):108-117. doi: 10.12691/jpar-7-2-6

Abstract

With evolving technological advancements and rising rates of sedentary occupations, sedentary behavior has become increasingly common. Prolonged and routine bouts of sitting time have been shown to cause various health problems. Interventions counteracting sedentary behaviors have been developed for occupational and academic environments. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and on-campus libraries are understudied settings for sedentary interventions. This study reports a mixed qualitative-quantitative methodology to examine the feasibility and acceptability of under-desk elliptical trainers (UDETs) in an HBCU library setting among library staff members (Study One) and library patrons (Study Two). In Study One, eight library employees completed pre and posttest interviews regarding the feasibility and acceptability of UDETs in the library. In Study Two, student UDET use was tracked in an HBCU library for eight weeks, and participants completed self-report questionnaires while using the devices. In Study One, library staff participants reported generally favorable views toward UDET placement in the library, however voiced a need to retrofit the library environment to better suit UDET use. In Study Two, participants reported sitting an average of 3.5 hours/day in the library and 8.10 hours/day on weekdays. On average, UDET users pedaled 16 minutes/day, burned 7.03 kilocalories (kcals)/day, and reported the devices were “easy to use” and “could be used in the library setting.” All UDET feedback participants endorsed wanting the devices to remain in the library permanently. Findings support UDETs as feasible and acceptable by library staff and students and effective in disrupting sedentary time, especially when UDET placement occurs in the context of supportive messaging to support UDET use.

Keywords:
sedentary behavior Historically Black College and University Under Desk Elliptical Trainer library retrofit

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