Physical Activity And Psychopathological Symptoms Among Medical Students: A Follow-up Study

Objectives To describe the prevalence of physical activity and psychopathological symptoms among medical students, and to investigate the relationship between physical activity and psychopathological symptoms, so as to provide evidence for prevention of psychopathological symptoms among medical students.Methods A follow-up study was conducted in a medical university. Baseline investigation started in Nov 2013; all the grade 1 students were recruited, and collected self-report information on sociodemographic data, self-report physical activity, and self-report psychopathological symptoms(MSQA, SAS, and CES-D). A total of 2 835 valid questionnaires were retained; follow-up investigation conducted in Dec 2014, 314 students lost to follow-up, 2 521 valid questionnaires were retained for analysis. Among the participants, 1 188 students were male, 1 333 students were female. The mean age of participating students was 18.43year(SD=0.96). The chi-square tests were used to compare the proportion of physical activity and psychopathological symptoms in different group. Logistic regression analyses were applied to analyze the possible factor affecting physical activity and psychopathological symptoms, and explore the effects of physical activity on psychopathological symptoms.Results The percentage of medical students who reported of having at least 1 hour per day of physical activity≥3 days per week in baseline and follow-up investigation were 32.2% and 25.8%, respectively. The percentage of medical students who participated in consolidate and strengthen muscle physical activity≥1 day per week in baseline and follow-up investigation were 36.4% and 41.4%, respectively. Baseline and follow-up investigation showed that percentage of having at least 1 hour per day of physical activity≥3 days per week in male was higher than female. Logistic regression analyses in baseline showed that the risk of having at least 1 hour per day of physical activity≥3 days per week in male were higher than female. Students who self-assessed somatotypes as normal with higher risk of having at least 1 hour per day of physical activity≥3 days per week than the students who self assessment as being slim and overweight. Logistic regression analyses in follow-up showed that the risk of having at least 1 hour per day of physical activity≥3 days per week in male was higher than female.The prevalence of psychological sub-health status in baseline and follow-up were 18.4% and 11.1%, respectively, the prevalence of anxiety in baseline and follow-up were 13.0% and 14.5%, respectively, and the prevalence of depression in baseline and follow-up were 15.5% and 14.1%, respectively. Baseline investigation showed that students who participated in having at least 1 hour per day of physical activity≥3 days per week, consolidate and strengthen muscle physical activity≥1 day per week, and physical activity after class with a lower prevalence of psychological sub-health status(P<0.05,P<0.001,P<0.001). Follow-up investigation showed that students who participated in having at least 1 hour per day of physical activity≥3 days per week with a higher prevalence of anxiety. Logistic regression analyses in baseline showed that students who participated in having at least 1 hour per day of physical activity≥3 days per week, consolidate and strengthen muscle physical activity≥1 day per week, and physical activity after class may reduce the prevalence of psychological sub-health status(OR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.60-0.94; OR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.53-0.82; OR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.60-0.94). Logistic regression analyses in follow-up showed that students who participated in activity after class may reduce the prevalence of psychological sub-health status(OR=0.61, 95% CI: 0.47-0.79). The data from baseline and follow-up were combined to investigating the longitudinal relationship between physical activity and psychopathological symptoms, the results showed that only sustain participating in activity after class may reduce the prevalence of psychological sub-health status and depression(OR=0.61, 95% CI: 0.45-0.84,OR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.60-0.94).Conclusions Physical activity among medical students remains in a low level. Participants reported of having at least 1 hour per day of physical activity, consolidate and strengthen muscle physical activity, and physical activity after class could reduce the prevalence of psychological sub-health status and depression.