Physical Activity Promotes Well Being: Medical Students' Engagement and Perspective. A Cross-Sectional Study Scoped Through Innovation and Technology

Abstract

Background: The role of physical activity in health promotion is further complimented by its disease preventive value. Future doctors' involvement and advocacy in diverse aspects of such significant role is still under evaluation. Objectives: This study aimed to assess medical students' PA engagement and perspective while discussing related educational innovations and technological advances. Methods: Through a cross-sectional observational study design, stratified sampling from third, fourth and fifth year medical students attending Nile university, Sudan, during the period from February to April 2020, were included. Descriptive data analysis was done using the SPSS software, after data collection via a structured questionnaire briefly inspired by the IPAQ. Results: Out of 188 students, 43.10% males and 56.90% females, less than half (91, 48.40%) participate in planned PA, and majority (156, 82.98%) agreed with its health related significance. Few (57, 30.32%) considered academic load as a barrier, and only 20 (10.60%) were not actively promoting PA engagement to others. Most PA participants were males (57.14%), leaning towards group based activity (54, 59.34%), making regular plans (51, 56.04%) and motivated by self health promotion (86, 94.51%) (p-value <0.05). Embedding PA into undergraduate curriculum, use of PA report cards, exercise prescription training and targeted mentoring, in addition to digital bracelets, smart phone applications and internet-based social media, had positive impact on PA participation and promotion. Conclusion: Medical students' understanding of PA health related significance did not equate to increase engagement, despite active promotion. Curricular integration of PA should accompany recent innovative educational strategies to increase their participation and advocation. Future studies are needed to evaluate the role of technology-based, and AI-driven, PA in achieving this goal.