PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL IN MEDICAL STUDENTS OF THE ZIAUDDIN UNIVERSITY, KARACHI

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the physical activity level in medical students of Ziauddin university in Karachi. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a cross-sectional study. The data analysis included total 300 medical students, 60 students from each of Ziauddin College of Physical Therapy, Ziauddin College of Medicine, Ziauddin College of Nursing, Ziauddin College of Dentistry and Ziauddin College of Pharmacy of the Ziauddin University, Karachi. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to evaluate physical activity level of the students. RESULT Physical therapy students achieved the highest level of physical activity, with 33% performing high level of physical activity compared to medicine (18%), pharmacy (12%), dentistry (28%) and nursing (28%). CONCLUSION Medical students found satisfactory results of physical activity level. But the majority of students did not meet the recommended criteria of physical activity. Therefore medical students improve their own habits because they are well trained and qualified to promote healthy habits.