Exercise Levels Research Articles

A Longitudinal Study of Physical Activity and Personality in the Wellbeing of Older Adults.

Objective: This study examines the interactions of physical activity and personality traits in the subjective wellbeing (SWB) of older adults. Methods: 520 Scottish participants (262 male; 258 female) completed self-reported surveys measuring their level of physical activity, personality, and SWB in 2011-2013 (mean age = 76.23 ± .68) and in 2014-2016 (mean age = 79.31 ± .62). Results: While all of the Big Five personality traits predicted SWB across the 3-year period in the expected direction, neither physical activity nor its joint effect with any of the personality traits was a significant predictor of subsequent SWB. Discussion: Further research on older adults with higher variation in age, exercise level, and cultural background is needed to disentangle how physical activity and personality influence SWB.

Exploring the Use of Mindfulness-Based Meditation and Physical Activity to Reduce Stress in College Students

Introduction: With the prevalence of stress increasing among college students, stress reduction interventions are essential. This study explored the use of brief mindfulness meditation (BMM) and current physical activity on college students’ perceived stress. Methods: A single-cohort pre-test/posttest design was used to evaluate the effects of an 8-week classroom-based BMM. Current exercise levels and perceived stress, using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), were measured in a convenience sample of college students (N = 42). Results: Brief mindfulness meditations were more effective in reducing stress for those who self-identified as “less than moderate” exercisers, SMD = 3.33 (t = 2.801, p = .023) than “moderate,” SMD = -.24 (t = -.162, p = .873) or “vigorous” exercisers, SMD = 2.56 (t = 1.577, p = .136). Discussion: The intervention was more beneficial for those who did not participate in regular physical activity. Thus, BMM sessions held during class served as a helpful means of stress reduction for these students.

Analysis of the performance of the portable Cortex Metamax 3B gas analysis system in simulated and real workouts with Vietnamese teenagers

The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of the mobile Cortex Metamax 3B (MM3B) automated gas meter in simulated and real workouts involving teenagers. A total of 28 healthy volunteers (13 men, 15 female) were selected with the following characteristics (mean ± SD): age 17.2 ± 3.1; height 167.1 ± 13.5 cm; weight 54.6 ± 10.4 kg. The following equipment were used: Hypermax 3B (breath-by-breath breathing system), Validator for Gas Exchange Systems (VGES), and Douglas-bag technique (DBT). The results have shown that MM3B is stable at the permitted range during 3 hours while monitoring the gas fractions, as well as the VE, VO2, and VCO2 created by GESV, especially at moderate and high metabolic rates (2% deviation and modest physiological significance). MM3B rated both VO2 and VCO2 significantly higher by about 10-17% at moderate and strenuous activity than DBM and at all exercise levels than Oxycon Pro, although without a significant margin of error in VE. Between the two criteria systems, none of the metabolic variables showed any discernible change (DBM and Oxycon Pro). The MM3B provided acceptable data on stability and reliability, but it was decided that without further adjustment for VO2 and VCO2, the data were not valid during moderate and strenuous activity.

H - 08 Differences in the Predictive Validity of Social Determinants of Health and all-Cause Dementia Risk in Hispanic Americans.

Hispanics and Latinos are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the U.S. This fact, coupled by their increased risk of developing a dementia, underscores the importance of research investigating methods to ameliorate this risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate if common social determinants of health (SDOH) associated with dementia risk were similarly predictive of cognitive decline with Mexican American clients compared to non-Hispanic White clients. Participants (M age = 65.98; 61.5% female) were non-Hispanic White (n = 1063) and Mexican American (n = 1061) community members participating in the Health and Aging Brain Study: Health Disparities study. The majority (77.9%) of participants were determined by diagnostic consensus to have normal cognition. Information gathered included SDOH factors-income, attained education level, social support, and physical exercise-in addition to information relating to informant-reported cognitive and functional impairment (CDR). Although higher levels of social support and income were related to less cognitive and functional impairment across participants, more physical exercise (β= -0.09, p = 0.006) was only predictive of less impairment for non-Hispanic White participants. Further, more attained education level (β= -0.08, p = 0.018) was only predictive of less impairment for Mexican American individuals. Our findings suggest that some SDOHs, specifically exercise and educational level, differentially predict cognitive and functional impairment between Mexican American and non-Hispanic White individuals. Future studies should investigate aspects of these variables (e.g., quality of education, type of exercise, etc.) that best protect from cognitive and functional impairment.

Lifetime exercise dose and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with mitral valve prolapse.

Patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) have high risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). Data on the impact of exercise on arrhythmic risk in these patients are lacking. We explored whether lifetime exercise dose was associated with severe VA and with established risk factors in patients with MVP. Furthermore, we explored the circumstances at the VA event. In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients with MVP and assessed lifetime exercise dose as metabolic equivalents of task (MET) hours/week. Severe VA was defined as sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, aborted cardiac arrest, and appropriate shock by a primary preventive implantable cardioverter defibrillator. We included 136 MVP patients (48 years [interquartile range (IQR) 35-59], 61% female), and 17 (13%) had previous severe VA. The lifetime exercise dose did not differ in patients with and without severe VA (17 MET h/week [IQR 9-27] vs. 14 MET h/week [IQR 6-31], P = 0.34). Lifetime exercise dose > 9.6 MET h/week was a borderline significant marker for severe VA (OR 3.38, 95% CI 0.92-12.40, P = 0.07), while not when adjusted for age (OR 2.63, 95% CI 0.66-10.56, P = 0.17). Ventricular arrhythmia events occurred most frequently during wakeful rest (53%), followed by exercise (29%) and sleep (12%). We found no clear association between moderate lifetime exercise dose and severe VA in patients with MVP. We cannot exclude an upper threshold for safe levels of exercise. Further studies are needed to explore exercise and risk of severe VA.

Exploring Disease Management Experiences of Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on disease management among individuals with type 2 diabetes and to explore their perspectives on COVID-19. This descriptive qualitative study included patients with diabetes, with a sample of 15 patients meeting the study criteria. The data were analyzed using code groups, which were then further categorized into main themes and subthemes. The main themes were: initial contact with the SARS-CoV-2 that is associated with COVID-19 illness changes in diabetes self-management behaviors; attempt at maintaining diabetes selfmanagement behaviors; and problems with accessing diabetes care. The study findings revealed several significant insights. Individuals with diabetes exhibited a fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2, which led to reduced levels of exercise and difficulties in managing blood sugar levels and insulin adjustments. Moreover, due to anxiety about COVID-19 infection, they postponed health check-ups, resulting in experiencing diabetes-related complications.

"Does Physical Exercise Promote Health Benefits for Diabetic Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic?": A Systematic Review.

Patients affected by COVID-19 are prone to facing disorders in multiple systems and organs, which can lead to deleterious diseases; in addition, people with pre-existing diseases may be more prone to the worst outcomes, and the most vulnerable are patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of physical activity and/or physical exercise prescribed to individuals with diabetes on the maintenance of plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies were found by searching PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science, SciELO, LILACS, SportDiscus, Bireme/BVS and Google Scholar databases. The inclusion criteria were articles that addressed only patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (T1D and T2D) who had evaluated the level of physical activity or physical exercise and described the effects on plasma glucose and/or glycated hemoglobin in cross-sectional, retrospective, and observational studies, meeting the main criteria established by GRADE. The PICO and GRADE strategies were used to select and assess the methodological quality of studies. Two reviewers searched and selected the articles in databases independently and blindly, during which oppositions and disagreements about the inclusion of articles were discussed and resolved by a third reviewer. Evidence corroborates that levels of physical activity were reduced due to the lockdown, leading to increased body weight and worse glycemic control. On the other hand, individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) (T1D and T2D) who maintained and/or increased levels of physical activity or physical exercise showed reduced plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Adequate levels of physical exercise and physical activity are beneficial for glucose and HbA1c control in diabetic patients (type 1 or type 2). In addition, maintaining adequate levels of physical activity can contribute to reducing health problems when these patients are infected with COVID-19.

Relación entre el ejercicio físico previo a la intervención y la calidad de vida en cirugía cardiaca

Introduction and objectivesThe relationship between pre-intervention physical exercise and quality of life, risk of complications or death has not been studied. MethodsProspective cohort study. Improvement in quality of life between preoperatively and at 6 months was analyzed using the EUROQOL scale and VAS. The level of physical exercise was analyzed by METS. The improvement in quality of life was evaluated according to the previous level of exercise and we studied whether the higher the level of exercise, the greater the increase in quality of life. ResultsQuality of life improved according both scales; VAS 17.8±18.8 points (p<0.001) and EUROQOL 1.1±1.1 points (p<0.001). Patients improved their quality of life. The higher level of previous exercise did not lead to a greater improvement in quality of life, but it did reduce the event of cardiogenic shock (p=0.032), complicated postoperative (p=0.034) and the combined event combined postoperative or death (p=0.027). ConclusionsCardiac surgery improves quality of life at six months for all patients. A higher level of exercise is not related with a greater improvement in quality of life. A higher level of physical exercise is associated with less risk of postoperative complications or death.

Declines in Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness After Implementing new National School Guidelines

PurposeWe examined whether introduction of national guidelines limiting sports club activities at school was associated with adolescents' exercise and cardiorespiratory fitness. MethodsWe conducted interrupted time-series analysis to quantify the changes in prefecture-level aggregated data on exercise or sports activities and 20-m shuttle run (indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness) among adolescents in Japan before (2013–2017) and after (2018–2022) the introduction of the guidelines using data from the National Survey of Physical Fitness, Athletic Performance and Exercise Habits. ResultsThe introduction of the guidelines was associated with reductions in exercise and sports activities duration (boys, −4.8 [95% CI −5.9, −3.8] min/day; girls, −5.5 [95% CI −6.2, −4.8] min/day) and performance of 20-m shuttle run (boys, −1.2 [95% CI −1.4, −1.0] laps; girls, −2.3 [95% CI −2.5, −2.2] laps). DiscussionAfter introducing guidelines limiting sports club activities at school, levels of exercise or sports and cardiorespiratory fitness declined among adolescents.

The smallest worthwhile effect on pain intensity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and exercise therapy for acute and chronic low back pain: a benefit-harm trade-off study.

What are the smallest worthwhile effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for people with acute and chronic low back pain (LBP)? What is the smallest worthwhile effect of individualised exercise for people with chronic LBP compared with no intervention? Benefit-harm trade-off study. Participants were recruited by advertisement on social media and included if they were English-speaking adults in Australia who had non-specific LBP. Pain intensity. A total of 116 people with acute LBP and 230 people with chronic LBP were recruited. For acute LBP, the smallest worthwhile effect of NSAIDs additional to no intervention was a 30% (IQR 10 to 40%) reduction in pain intensity. For chronic LBP, the smallest worthwhile effect of NSAIDs additional to no intervention was a 27.5% (IQR 10 to 50%) reduction in pain intensity. For chronic LBP, the smallest worthwhile effect of exercise additional to no intervention was a 20% (IQR 10 to 40%) reduction in pain intensity. There were small associations between baseline pain, duration of pain and level of exercise and the smallest worthwhile effect of NSAIDs for acute LBP. There were no other clear associations. For people with LBP, the smallest worthwhile effect of exercise and NSAIDs additional to no intervention is approximately a 20 to 30% reduction in pain. These results can inform the interpretation of the effects of NSAIDs and exercise in randomised trials and meta-analyses, incorporating consumers' perspectives. Further research on comparisons between different interventions and on other core LBP outcomes may inform decision-making. OSF osf.io/3erjx/.

The effect of COVID-19 lockdowns on exercise and the role of online exercise in Australians with multiple sclerosis.

Regular exercise is beneficial for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), regardless of disability level. The previously reported differential effect of COVID-19-related lockdowns on exercise levels in this population remains unexplained. We examined effects of lockdowns on exercise in Australians with MS according to disability levels, lockdown severity and health technology use. A cross-sectional survey of people with MS in Australia (22 April-23 September 2021) collected demographic and clinical information as well as exercise patterns before and during lockdowns. Mann-Whitney was used to compare ordinal data and Likelihood Ratio to compare dichotomous data. 151 people completed the survey. 72.2% had mild disability and 25.2% moderate disability. Extended lockdowns were associated with significantly decreased sedentary behaviour (31.5% to 25.9%) but also with decreased exercise frequency in frequent exercisers (≥3 times/week; 53.7% to 22.2%). The latter occurred significantly more in those with mild disability (-22.7%) than with moderate disability (-3.5%). More people with mild disability walked for exercise pre-pandemic (LR 8.6, p=.004) and during lockdowns (LR 6.6, p=.010). Walking during lockdowns was positively associated with working from home. People with moderate disability were more likely to engage in home exercise both pre-pandemic (LR 5.5, p=.019) and during lockdown (LR 5.2, p=.023). Engagement in home exercise rose for both groups during lockdowns and was facilitated by on-line exercise classes. Lockdowns differentially affected exercise patterns according to disability level. The proportion of people achieving exercise recommendations decreased more in those with mild but not moderate disability. Incidental physical activity was disproportionately impacted in people with moderate disability.

Gender, Age, and Levels of Physical Exercise Related Risk Factors effecting Sleep among Young Adult Varsity Student-Athletes

Gender, Age, and Levels of Physical Exercise Related Risk Factors effecting Sleep among Young Adult Varsity Student-Athletes

The Connection Between Chronic Illness and Physical Activity

Chronic diseases have become a focal point of public health worldwide with estimates of trillions of dollars in annual health care cost and causing more than 36 million deaths a year. Lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity are heavily correlated with the development of many chronic diseases. New strategies for primary and secondary disease prevention are desperately needed to aid in blunting the negative economic and social impact of these diseases. Physical activity (PA) and exercise are now considered principal interventions for use in primary and secondary prevention of chronic diseases. Currently, more emphasis in primary prevention of disease is necessary to reduce disease risk in youth and adults; however with chronic disease prevalence so high, similar emphasis is also necessary for secondary prevention in those children and adults already inflicted with chronic diseases. Conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cancer are drastically improved when PA and exercise are part of a medical management plan. In addition, the national PA guidelines in conjunction with PA promotion tools like Exercise is Medicine™ are needed to promote increased PA and exercise levels worldwide

The effect of exercise on the risk of metabolic syndrome associated with sleep insufficiency: a cross-sectional study.

Sleep disturbance and insufficient sleep have been linked to metabolic syndrome, increasing cardiovascular disease and mortality risk. However, few studies investigate the joint effect of sleep and exercise on metabolic syndrome. We hypothesized that regular exercise can mitigate the exacerbation of metabolic syndrome by sleep insufficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate whether exercise can attenuate or eliminate the relationship between sleep insufficiency and metabolic syndrome. A total of 6,289 adults (mean age = 33.96 years; women: 74.81%) were included in the study, a cross-sectional study conducted based on the results of employee health screening questionnaires and databases from a large healthcare system in central Taiwan. Participants reported sleep insufficiency or not. Self-reported exercise habits were classified into 3 levels: no exercise, exercise <150 min/week, and exercise ≧150 min/week. Multiple logistic regression and sensitivity analyses were conducted to understand the joint associations of sleep patterns and exercise with metabolic syndrome with exposure variables combining sleep duration/disturbances and PA. Compared with the reference group (sufficient sleep), individuals with sleep insufficiency had a higher risk for metabolic syndrome [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.01-1.94, p < 0.05] in females aged 40-64 years, but not in other populations. Sleep insufficiency was not associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome among individuals achieving an exercise level of <150 min/week, and in particular among those achieving ≧150 min/week in all populations in our study. Sleep insufficiency was related to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome in female healthcare staff aged 40-64 years. Being physically active with exercise habits in these individuals, the risk of metabolic syndrome was no longer significant.

Analysis of determinants of hydration status of medical students at the Universitas Sumatera Utara

Dehydration can impair the operation of the body's organs and cause mortality because the human body is 60% water. The purpose of this study was to analyze factors related to hydration status. This study using a cross-sectional research design in a descriptive-analytical study. The study was conducted in the Nutrition Department of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara. The study was conducted from September to October 2020. 99 students were chosen at random to participate in the study. Respondent characteristics, physical activity, nutritional status, body composition, fluid intake, and hydration status were among the information gathered. Subject follow-up was carried out for 7 consecutive days. Positive relationships and significance between dietary status (p &lt; 0,014), total body water (p &lt; 0,018), muscle mass (p &lt; 0,012), level of exercise (p &lt; 0,003), and total fluid intake (p &lt; 0,044) were found in the results of the multiple regression test. Additionally, a negative association and significance between visceral fat (p &lt; 0,03) and body fat (p &lt; 0,016) is discovered. Based on the test's findings, a determination coefficient with a value of 85,5% was calculated, meaning that 85,5% of factors influencing hydration status include dietary habits, body composition, visceral fat, total body water, muscle mass, level of exercise, and total fluid intake. Conclusion, nutritional status, total body water, muscle mass, physical activity, and overall fluid intake all have a positive correlation with hydration status. However, there was shown to be a negative correlation between body fat and visceral fat and hydration status.

Building a prediction model of college students’ sports behavior based on machine learning method: combining the characteristics of sports learning interest and sports autonomy

College students’ sports behavior is affected by many factors, and sports learning interest and sports autonomy support are potential psychological characteristic factors, which have important influence value on college students’ sports behavior. Machine learning methods are widely used to construct prediction models and show high efficiency. In order to understand the impact of sports learning interest and sports autonomy support on college students’ sports behavior (physical exercise level), the research decided to use the relevant methods of machine learning to build a prediction model, so as to find the internal relationship between them. This paper summarizes the relevant factors that affect college students’ sports behavior (physical exercise level) from two aspects, namely, sports autonomy and sports learning interest, and surveys the demographic and sociological information of college students as a supplement. The research evaluates the level of the prediction model through the construction of the prediction model of the machine learning algorithm and the comparison method, so as to determine the optimal prediction model. The results show that the prediction accuracy of the logistic regression model is 0.7288, the recall rate is 0.7590, and F1 is 0.7397; The prediction accuracy of KNN model is 0.6895, the recall rate is 0.7596, and F1 is 0.7096; The prediction accuracy of naive Bayesian model is 0.7166, the recall rate is 0.6703, and F1 is 0.6864; the prediction accuracy of LDA model is 0.7263, the recall rate is 0.7290, and F1 is 0.7265; The prediction accuracy of the support vector machine model is 0.6563, the recall rate is 0.7700, and F1 is 0.6845; The prediction accuracy of GBDT model is 0.6953, the recall rate is 0.7039, and the F1 score is 0.6989; The prediction accuracy of the decision tree model is 0.6872, the recall rate is 0.6507, and F1 is 0.6672. The logistic regression model performs best in the combination of sports learning interest and motor autonomy support, due to the combination of its linear classification characteristics, better adaptability, high computational efficiency, and better adaptability to feature selection and outlier processing. The conclusion points out that the prediction level of logistic regression model is the highest when combining sports learning interest and sports autonomy support to predict college students’ sports behavior (sports exercise grade), which also provides an important reference for improving college students’ sports behavior (sports exercise grade).

Self-efficacy, motivation, and habits: psychological correlates of exercise among women with breast cancer

PurposeThe purpose of this analysis was to explore associations between exercise behaviour among breast cancer survivors and three behavioural constructs from distinct theories: self-efficacy from social cognitive theory, motivation from self-determination theory, and habits from habit theory.MethodsBreast cancer survivors (n = 204) completed a cross-sectional survey that collected demographic and disease characteristics, exercise levels, and self-efficacy, motivation, and habits. Multivariable linear regression models were used to identify constructs associated with total activity and resistance training.ResultsParticipants were a mean (SD) age of 57.3 (10.8) years and most were diagnosed with early-stage disease (72%) and engaged in sufficient levels of total activity (94%), though only 45% completed ≥ 2 resistance training sessions/week. Identified motivation (ꞵ[95% CI] = 7.6 [3.9–11.3]) and habits (ꞵ[95% CI] = 4.4 [1.4–7.4]) were significantly associated with total activity (as were body mass index and disease stage), whilst identified motivation (ꞵ[95% CI] = 0.6 [0.3–0.9]) and coping self-efficacy (ꞵ[95% CI] = 0.02 [< 0.01–0.03]) were significantly associated with resistance training. The models explained 27% and 16% of variance in total activity and resistance training behaviour, respectively.ConclusionResults suggest that incorporating strategies that support identified motivation, habits, and coping self-efficacy in future interventions could promote increased exercise behaviour among breast cancer populations. Future longitudinal research should examine associations with exercise in a more representative, population-based sample.

Colon resection and anastomosis as treatment of an idiopathic colo‐colic intussusception in an adult horse

SummaryAn 18‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding was referred for further investigation and treatment of acute colic. Exploratory celiotomy was recommended based on the degree of suspected large colon distension on rectal palpation, and only transient reprieve from colic signs following analgesia. This subsequently revealed an intussusception affecting the left dorsal colon (LDC) with the orad LDC (intussusceptum) within the aborad LDC (intussuscipiens). The intussusception, approximately 20 cm in length, was obstructing the colon. Following exteriorisation, reduction of the intussusception was performed, but marked thickening of the colon wall and luminal obstruction led to the decision to perform a partial colon resection of the left dorsal and ventral colon and side‐to‐side anastomosis. The gelding made an unremarkable recovery from anaesthesia and progressed well post‐operatively. Histopathology found no clear cause of the intussusception. Follow‐up (11 months post‐operatively) confirmed complete recovery and the horse had returned to the previous level of light exercise.

Iditarod, a Drosophila homolog of the Irisin precursor FNDC5, is critical for exercise performance and cardiac autophagy

Mammalian FNDC5 encodes a protein precursor of Irisin, which is important for exercise-dependent regulation of whole-body metabolism. In a genetic screen in Drosophila, we identified Iditarod (Idit), which shows substantial protein homology to mouse and human FNDC5, as a regulator of autophagy acting downstream of Atg1/Atg13. Physiologically, Idit-deficient flies showed reduced exercise performance and defective cold resistance, which were rescued by exogenous expression of Idit. Exercise training increased endurance in wild-type flies, but not in Idit-deficient flies. Conversely, Idit is induced upon exercise training, and transgenic expression of Idit in wild-type flies increased endurance to the level of exercise trained flies. Finally, Idit deficiency prevented both exercise-induced increase in cardiac Atg8 and exercise-induced cardiac stress resistance, suggesting that cardiac autophagy may be an additional mechanism by which Idit is involved in the adaptive response to exercise. Our work suggests an ancient role of an Iditarod/Irisin/FNDC5 family of proteins in autophagy, exercise physiology, and cold adaptation, conserved throughout metazoan species.

Cross-sectional study of physical activity, dietary habits, and mental health of veterinary students after lifting of COVID-19 pandemic measures.

Mental illness is an important public health concern in veterinary students. Recent literature has demonstrated a negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on veterinary students' mental health. Little literature to date has evaluated the mental health of veterinary students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic after most pandemic measures have been lifted. The objective of this study was to describe physical activity, diet, and mental health in veterinary students after pandemic measures were lifted. A secondary objective was to examine the association between depression symptoms and exposure factors in this cohort of veterinary students. In a cross-sectional study, veterinary students (n = 487) at a public university received an online survey with questions regarding their physical activity, diet, stress, and self-rated symptoms across 11 mental health domains. Logistic regression was used to quantify the association between exposure factors and depression symptoms. One-hundred and twelve students completed the survey. Sixty-three (56%) respondents met the criteria for concern within the mental health domain of depression, 75 (67%) for anxiety, and 16 (14%) for suicidal ideation. Fourth year students had the lowest weekly vigorous physical activity (median 0.5 hours). The odds of self-reported depression symptoms were 8 times lower in students engaged in high levels of vigorous exercise compared to students engaged in low levels, after controlling for number of years in the program (p = 0.02). Mental health concerns were high in this group of veterinary students.