Volume 7
Number 2 July 2023Physical Activity and Academic Performance among Medical Students of Bangladesh
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70357/jdamc.2023.v0702.03
Nargis S1 , Roy HL2 , Gosh E3 , Shimi SH4
Abstract
Background: Physical activity has many positive benefits not only in the physical state but also stimulates brain activity and influences cognitive function leading to better academic performance.
Aims and Objectives: To find out the relationship between physical activity and academic performance among medical students of Bangladesh in addition to BMI.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 medical students from a selected medical college in Bangladesh, during a period of one year from February 2022 to January 2023. A semi-structured questionnaire, checklist, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) were used to collect the data.
Results: The majority of the respondents were between 22-24 years old (60%). Most participants (72.5%) had a healthy body weight, and a significant proportion of students reported moderate (61.5%) or low (28.5%) levels of physical activity. Overall present academic performance, the majority (95.5%) of respondents passed regularly significant association was found between physical activity and academic performance.
Conclusion: This study suggests that medical colleges in Bangladesh should incorporate physical activity promotion into their curricula and provide facilities to support increased physical activity among students.
Keywords: Academic performance, Physical activity, Body Mass Index (BMI), medical student
- Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry
- Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry
- Associate Professor, Department of Physiology
- Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine