Evaluation of physical activity amongst medical students

according to IPAQ in Targu Mures

Evaluation of physical activity amongst medical students

according to IPAQ in Targu Mures

First author: Nicolae Stanciu

Coauthors: Marinela-Radiana Faur, Evelyne-Christine Chiriac, Estera Gabor, Mihaela-Alexandra Gal

Coordinator: Dr. Marian Pop

Background

• Active physicians prescribe activity• Medical students lifestyle predispose to low PA• No Romanian papers regarding PA on medical

students

Background• IPAQ- International Physical Activity Questionnaires • Set of instruments that can be used internationally to obtain

comparable estimates of physical activity.• Validated (400+ papers)• Easy to administer• Free to use

Physical activity – MET(Metabolic Equivalent of Task):• Sleeping 0.9• writing, desk work, typing 1.8• walking 3.0 mph (4.8 km/h) 3.3• jogging, general 7.0• rope jumping 10.0 https://sites.google.com/site/theipaq/

Objectives

Evaluate medical students’ physical status

Search for an association between MET score computed using IPAQ and BMI (Body Mass Index)

Seeking a correlation between MET score and heart rate/blood pressure recovery time after submaximal stress test

Material and Method

Cross-sectional study includes a convenience sample of 85 voluntary students (spring 2014).

“Short last 7 days telephone format” IPAQ

was administered.

Material and Method

Demographical data was recorded and the subjects underwent a cardiovascular stress

test (Schellong II).

Blood pressure and heart rate were

determined until reaching pre-test values

using a Sanitas SBC25 monitor.

Statistical analysis was performed using

Microsoft Excel and GraphPad InStat 3.06.

19 20 21 22 23 24 250

5

10

15

20

25

Figure 1 Male/Female by age

FemalesMales

•M:F =0.49• Average age of 20.98 years (Standard deviation=1.32 years).

Results

Average Male physical activity MET-minutes/week

Average Female physical activity MET-minutes/week

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000

3100

2610.25

3023.73684210526

Figure 2 Average Male/Female MET score

Results

Females present a higher PA score than males. Nevertheless,the difference was not statistically significant.n (p=0.1679).

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5

10

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Figure 3 Physical activity status by age

highLinear (high)LowMedium

Physical activity MET-minutes/week ranged between 9012 and 66 with a high physical activity level in 60.82%, while low and medium activity level represents 19.59%.

Results

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 1000019

19.520

20.521

21.522

22.523

Figure 4 BMI – MET quartiles

MET

BMI

• While BMI ranged from 17.17 to 28.08 comparing it across MET quartiles, we found the highest median on the first quartile (22.53) but with no statistically significant differences among the other quartiles (p=0.057).

• An association was found between MET lower than 1000 and BMI over 25 (p<0.05)

Results

Weak negative correlation (r=-0.18), statistically non-significant (p=0.09) between MET values and recovery time.

Results

RATE OF RECOVERY

Total physical activity

MET – minutes/week

Figure 5 MET – Shellong II recovery rate

Discussions

• As compared with other studies our students seem to be more fit, with an normal BMI and a high level physical activities• The males from our sample scored lower PA level than

the females, probably due to our sample characteristics.• There are certain limits to our study - the sample is small

and due the physical component students with good physical status were more likely to attend.

Conclusions• Medical students in early years present a good physical

activity state, with an active life and appropriate nutrition. • As expected higher BMI was found in patients with lower MET-

minutes/week, overweight subjects presenting an association with MET-minutes under 1000.

• BP and HR recovery correlation with physical activity evaluated by MET need more data to gain a better perspective.

• Regular exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and medical professionals should maintain a good physical activity level in order to remain healthy and look credible in the eyes of their patients.

• Physical activity habits of doctors and medical students influence their counseling practices, Lobelo F, Duperly J, Frank E, Br J Sports Med. 2009 Feb;43(2):89-92

• The relationship between physical aspects of quality of life and extreme levels of regular physical activity in adults, Maciel Eda S, Vilarta R, Modeneze DM, Sonati JG, Vasconcelos JS, Vilela Junior GB, Oetterer M., Cad Saude Publica. 2013 Nov;29(11):2251-60.

• Blood pressure and circulatory relationships with physical activity level in young normotensive individuals: IPAQ validity and reliability considerations. 2011;33(5):345-53. doi: 10.3109/10641963.2010.531848. Epub 2011 May

• Physical activity in students of the Medical University of Silesia in Poland, Dąbrowska-Galas M, Plinta R, Dąbrowska J, Skrzypulec-Plinta V., Phys Ther. 2013 Mar;93(3):384-92.

• Medicine 2nd year, 1st semester: Practical work, UMF Tirgu Mures Physiology department, http://www.fizioms.ro/edu/lp/data/exercise%20stress%20testing.pdf

Bibliography

Thank you!