Abstract
BackgroundLevels of physical activity and happiness may impact the health and performance of future doctors. The specific relationship between physical activity and happiness among first year medical students is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate these variables and how they relate within first year, graduate entry Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery students studying in Cyprus.MethodsSelf-administered questionnaires were provided for all first year medical students at the St. George’s University of London medical programme delivered by the University of Nicosia Medical School in Cyprus. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and happiness was assessed using the Short Depression Happiness Scale. Surveys were completed by 79 of the 120 students (median age of 24 years). Happiness and continuous measures of physical activity amounts were investigated using spearman’s rank-order correlation. Mann-Whitney U Tests were used to make further comparisons between the physical activity levels across happy and depressed groups and gender, as well as to compare the levels of happiness reported by each gender.ResultsHigh levels of physical activity were evident in 60.8% of students. Results suggested depression among 15.2% of students. A positive correlation was observed between happiness and amount of vigorous intensity physical activity among female students (p < 0.05), but not males. Happy females performed more vigorous physical activity than depressed females (p < 0.05). The total amount of physical activity performed, as well as level of happiness, did not significantly differ between genders.ConclusionsA relationship exists between physical activity and happiness among female first year medical students. The intensity of physical activity may play an important role within this group. There appears to be relatively high levels of physical activity and low levels of depression among male and female first year medical students studying in Cyprus. This study provides new knowledge regarding relationships between happiness and physical activity among first year medical students, and is also the first characterization of happiness and physical activity habits among students in Cyprus. This may help to inform future policies aimed at promoting health and wellness within student communities.
Highlights
Levels of physical activity and happiness may impact the health and performance of future doctors
The results of this study indicated that the amount of weekly vigorous intensity physical activity is positively correlated to happiness in female first year medical students studying in Cyprus
The current study is the first report of a specific relationship between amount of physical activity and happiness among first year medical students, or among students studying in Cyprus
Summary
Levels of physical activity and happiness may impact the health and performance of future doctors. The specific relationship between physical activity and happiness among first year medical students is unclear. The specific relationship between physical activity and happiness has not been established among first year medical students. Links between physical activity levels and academic performance have been established among first year college students, with higher grades being associated with students’ engagement in regular physical activity [12]. Among medical students, low levels of physical activity are associated with burnout [9], decreased professional efficacy [13] and low health- related quality of life [9]. Since “doctors’ own physical activity practices influence their clinical attitudes towards physical activity” ([14], page 89), establishing optimal physical activity habits among medical students may have a critical influence on the health of their future patients
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