Recognition of Physical Activity between Physical Therapy and Non-Physical Therapy Students: Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Purpose: This study was to the investigate recognition of physical activity between physical therapy students (PTS) and non-physical therapy students (NPTS) by measuring the level of physical activity using International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ).Methods: A cross-sectional survey was completed by 191 university students. The IPAQ with an additional question (Is physical activity necessary for your future job?) was used to evaluate the recognition and the amount of physical activity. The collected data were calculated as MET-minutes scores and were classified as walking, moderate, and vigorous level of physical activity. The students were analyzed by dividing them into those who had a part-time employment (16 PTS and 12 NPTS) and those who did not have a part-time employment (80 PTS and 83 NPTS).Results: In students with a part-time employment, no significances were observed between the PTS and NPTS, in terms of MET, frequency and time of physical activity, and sitting time (p>0.05). In students without a part-time employment, the NPTS was significantly higher than the PTS for the MET and frequency of physical activity in a vigorous level (p<0.05), and there were no significant differences in other levels of physical activity (p>0.05). In the additional question, the PTS showed a slightly higher than the NPTS (p<0.05).Conclusion: The physical therapy students did not remarkable barrier to recognition of physical activity, but there was a difference in their recognition of the vigorous level of physical activity. Therefore, the understanding of physical activity for PTS would play an important role in the recognition of how physical activity can be promoted. PU - The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy