Abstract P549: Profile of Physical Activity in Medical Students - Constructing a Quality of Life Model

Abstract

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization , performing physical activity (PA) results in less chance of coronary heart disease development, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heart attack, colon and breast cancer and depression, in addition to promote quality of life (QOL) improvement. Some studies show that students’ perceptions about QOL during your college experience are essentially related to the levels of academic support. Thus, it is considered that the level of subject PA is crucial in promoting health and QOL in medical students and have important role to disseminate information in society, that could modify the community culture and habits where they are inserted. Objective: To identify the profile of PA on medical students of a private College in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Method: This subset study is part of an observational study with cross-sectional delineation, with data collected through the application of an anonymous questionnaire. The collection of these data was the basis of an instrument for assessing the QOL of the medical students of this College. For descriptive purposes, we analyze gender, age, BMI (body mass index), year, place and frequency of PA, type of exercise performed and time spent per week with PA. Results: Of the 490 students with an average age 21.7 years (16-42 years), 64.1% female, 75.1% practiced PA prior to entered the medical college, but 38.4% decreased the frequency after initiated the college, 22.2% perform regular PA three times a week, 44.5% practice anaerobic and aerobic PA and 28.6% are sedentary. Among the male participants, 83% x 70.7% female, practiced PA before starting the course of Medicine (p 0.003), both with reduced frequency after admission in college (38.1% x 38.5%, respectively, p NS). The combined aerobic and anaerobic activities predominates in both genders. Comparing the data obtained between the first and second years (Group A), with the fifth and sixth years students (Group B), statistically significant relative (1) sedentary (A 34.5% x 23.3% B) and reduction PA after admission in college (A 33% x 56.7% B). Conclusion: Studies confirm that the teaching model with full-time activities imposed in medicine schools, reduces the time required to adapt personal habits and maintain a good QOL.