Factors Associated with Regular Physical Activity in Pharmacy Students

• Main Authors: Roop, Amanda, Lo, Vicky
• Other Authors: Slack, Marion
• Language: en_US
• Published: The University of Arizona. 2007
• Subjects: Exercise; Physical Activity; Pharmacy Students
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10150/624427; http://arizona.openrepository.com/arizona/handle/10150/624427

Class of 2007 Abstract === Objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine the factors associated with regular physical activity of students in the college of pharmacy. Methods: Pharmacy students currently enrolled and attending classes at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy were asked to fill out a questionnaire about physical activity/exercise, nutrition, and demographics. The questionnaires were passes out 10 minutes at the end/beginning of classes. Results: Students in the high exercise/physical activity group participated in exercise/physical activity for significantly greater lengths of time in one session than those in the low group (p < 0.001). Students in the high exercise/physical activity group were more likely than the low group to exercise in the morning before school or after school or work (p = 0.00469 and 0.0375 respectively). Students in the high exercise/physical activity group answered that pharmacists and other health care professionals can influence patients to a greater extent than those in the low group ( p = 0.0482). Conclusions: Students that participate in exercise/physical activity 3-4 times per week or more were more likely to do so for longer periods of time in one session and fit it into their schedule before school/work or in the afternoon/evening after school/work. It appears that these students were more likely to have a specific time for exercise and do not rely on incidental physical activity to get their exercise. Students that are regular exercisers may feel that pharmacists and other health care professionals can influence patients to a greater extent regarding exercise than those students who do not regularly exercise.