Physical activity in medicine students during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and caused restrictions have a negative impact on the regular physical activity of human population. Relevance: Scientists indicate that the detailed study of the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the regular physical activity and behaviour of medicine students are needed. Objective: Collecting data on the physical activity and behaviour of Russian medicine students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Participants – medicine students (n=218) aged 19-23 years. The tool of the study is IPAQ-SF (modernized form). All participants provided complete data on their physical activity and behaviour during one week (pre-pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic). Data analysis using SPSS Statistics 17.0 and Mann-Whitney U-test was performed. Results: There were a significant (p ≤0,05) differences in the data of IPAQ-SF survey, in pre- and during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a significant decrease in physical activity in sports and fitness, and a significant increase in overall physical activity and physical activity at work and educational training in the study participants during the pandemic. A significant increase in sedentary behaviour among medicine students during the COVID-19 pandemic was revealed. Conclusion: The obtained knowledge indicate that to take measures to increasing of physical activity in sports and fitness, and to reducing the overall time of sedentary behaviour among medicine students during the COVID-19 pandemic are needed.