Perfil da prática de exercício físico dos discentes de medicina

Abstract

Nowadays, there are numerous changes in the relationship between human beings and their daily activities, driving a change from a more inflexible way of life to a more fluid and dynamic model. Thus, physical exercise, despite presenting several physiological benefits to individuals, obstinately competes for the time and availability of medical students, as they are hostages of a strenuous workload and immersed in stressful environments. Objective: To analyze the profile of medical students in relation to the practice of physical exercise. Method: Cross-sectional observational study performed by applying a virtual questionnaire developed for the research, with identification questions, aerobic activity practice, strength training and perception of the course’s influence on this practice. Statistical analyzes were performed with absolute and relative frequencies, mean ± standard deviation and median (1st quartile – 3rd quartile). Associations were assessed using Fisher’s Exact and comparisons were assessed using Mann-Whitney tests, with a significance level of 5%. Results: 206 responses were obtained, with a predominance of 2nd year undergraduate students (40.8%) with a mean age of 21.4 ± 3.9 years old. It was found that 80.1% of respondents were classified as sedentary according to the prescriptions for adults. Furthermore, there was a perception of greater influence of the course for those who practice physical exercise and a correlation between the practice of aerobics and course evolution, seen as inversely proportional. Conclusion: A large part of the sample is classified as sedentary and the medical course influenced the practice of physical exercise.