Evaluation of the health and physical activity characteristics of undergraduate paramedic and nursing students

IntroductionEngagement in positive health behaviour and physical activity is important in reducing the risk of lifestyle diseases and disability later in life. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the health and physical activity characteristics of undergraduate paramedic and nursing students. MethodsDescriptive and inter-discipline survey of university students enrolled in healthcare programs. The health status and physical activity patterns of paramedic and nursing undergraduate students were assessed by the health survey questionnaire (SF36) and international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), respectively. Comparisons for Health status – Total, health dimensions, and weekly metabolic equivalent (MET) were performed.Results A total of 226 undergraduate students were surveyed with 66.4% enrolled in the Paramedic, 17.7% in Nursing, and 15.9% enrolled in the double degree Nursing/Paramedic Bachelor programs. Results for the SF36 –Total show that there was a significant difference in health status between the undergraduate cohorts (P=0.001). Results for the IPAQ shows a significant difference in physical activity between the programs (P =0.030). Chi-Square analysis shows a significant proportion of students report low levels of physical activity (less than 600 MET-min/week). Comparison between IPAQ and Year of study show a significant difference between groups (P =0.007).ConclusionSubstantially reduced health status and physical activity patterns were shown in nursing students compared to paramedic students and amongst 1st year university undergraduates. This research highlights the need to further investigate the health status and physical activity patterns within university healthcare students.

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Comparing Daily Class Schedule and its Influence on Undergraduate Students’ Physical Activity Patterns

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000518623.15717.dc ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 49 (5S) ◽

pp. 618-619

Author(s):

Matthew D. Moran ◽

Dina D. Kendle ◽

Matthew B. Rhudy ◽

Kristen Gift ◽

Marissa Ruggiero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Physical Activity Patterns ◽

Class Schedule

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Physical activity patterns and dietary habits of undergraduate students

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity ◽

10.29359/bjhpa.11.1.12 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 115-123 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ebenezer Essaw ◽

Monday Omoniyi Moses ◽

Daniel Afrifa ◽

Isaac Kwaku Acheampong ◽

Winifred Mensah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Physical Activity Patterns

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The Physical Activity Patterns of Northern Irish Schoolchildren Ages 11–16 Years

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.3.4.300 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 300-309 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Chris Riddoch ◽

Craig Mahoney ◽

Niamh Murphy ◽

Colin Boreham ◽

Gordon Cran

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Total Activity ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Vigorous Activity ◽

Northern Irish ◽

Mean Values ◽

Cardiopulmonary Fitness ◽

Physical Activity Patterns ◽

Significant Difference

The aim of this study was to provide objective data on the cardiopulmonary fitness and physical activity patterns of Northern Irish postprimary schoolchildren. Forty-five children (23 boys, 22 girls), ages 11-16 years, took part in this study. Each child performed a laboratory test of peak aerobic power (PVO2) and had his/her heart rate monitored for up to 4 school days. The mean values of PVO2 in both boys and girls were in keeping with previous literature. No significant difference was observed between boys and girls in terms of total activity (>50% PVO2), but boys engaged in significantly more vigorous activity (>70% PVO2 than girls did (p<0.05). Younger boys engaged in significantly more vigorous activity than both older boys (p<0.01) and younger girls (p<0.05). A significant negative correlation was found between age and total activity for boys (r= −0.476, p<0.05), but not for girls (r= -0.173, n.s.). The surprisingly low levels of physical activity on the part of older children of both sexes are a cause for concern.

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Association between physical activity patterns and sarcopenia in Arab men

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/0300060520918694 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 030006052091869 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shaea Alkahtani ◽

Osama Aljuhani ◽

Maha Alhussain ◽

Syed Shahid Habib

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Activity Patterns ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Arab Men

Objective In this study, we aimed to examine the association between physical activity patterns and sarcopenia in Arab men. Methods This cross-sectional study included 363 men (47.7 ± 15.4 years). We analyzed appendicular lean mass (ALM), handgrip strength test, and physical activity levels. ALM divided by height (meters) squared was calculated (ALM/Ht 2 ), and participants with −1 and −2 standard deviations below the sex-specific mean for Saudi young adults were considered to have sarcopenia class I and class II, respectively. Independent t-tests, analysis of variance, and Mann–Whitney U tests were performed to determine mean and median differences. Results We observed a significant difference between participants with and without sarcopenia in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA); the correlation between ALM/H2 and MVPA was borderline significant. With a 1-hour/week increase in MVPA, ALM/Ht 2 increased by 0.30 kg/m2. Total and ALM, handgrip strength, and MVPA were significantly lower in participants age >60 years; fat mass and waist circumference were unchanged as compared with middle-aged participants. Conclusions We identified an association between time spent in recreational MVPA and lean muscle mass among Arab men. Future studies should examine the role of MVPA training programs on muscle mass and strength in older men.

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Impact of Migration on the Eating Habit and Physical Activity Patterns among Saudi Students living in South Korea

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v13n2p48 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 48

Author(s):

Noor A. Hakim

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

South Korea ◽

Online Survey ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Activity Patterns ◽

Saudi Students ◽

Significant Difference

This study investigates the effect of migration on eating habits and physical activity patterns of Saudi migrants living in South Korea. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and an online survey was prepared to assess participants’ demographic details, including; eating habits and physical activity pattern compared to pre-migration among 198 Saudi students. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and chi square. Saudi migrant students practice healthy habits such as; low frequency consumption of snacks and regular exercise habits. No significant difference was observed in the number and type of meal taken per day between the participants who lived less than three years in South Korea, in comparison to those who were living for more than three years. A significant increase in excessive exercise among students who lived in South Korea for more than three years in contrast to the students who lived less than three years. Findings suggested that more attention is needed to identify the nutritional need of international students living in South Korea.

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