Examining the Relationship Between Biometric Indicators and Pharmacy Students' Academic Performance
Eric C Nemec1, Michael C Thomas2, Krista J Gile3
1Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut.
American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
|June 25, 2020
Summary
Student wellness habits, including steps and sleep, did not significantly predict academic performance in pharmacy students. Lower activity levels before exams correlated with higher scores, contrary to expectations.
Area of Science:
- Health Sciences
- Educational Research
- Pharmacology Education
Background:
- Student wellness is increasingly recognized as a factor influencing academic success.
- Fitness trackers offer a method to objectively measure lifestyle habits like physical activity and sleep.
- Understanding the link between wellness and academic performance is crucial for optimizing student outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between student wellness habits (steps, activity, sleep) and academic performance in Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students.
- To determine if fitness tracker data can predict examination scores and course grade point averages (GPAs).
Main Methods:
- Fitness trackers were distributed to second-year PharmD students to collect data on steps, activity, and sleep.
- Academic performance was measured by course GPAs and examination grades.
- Linear regression models were employed to analyze the relationships between wellness variables and academic outcomes.
Main Results:
- No significant correlations were found between overall steps, activity, or sleep duration and course GPA or examination grades.
- A significant negative relationship emerged: students with lower activity (fewer steps) 72 hours before an exam performed better.
- Students in the low activity group scored an average of two points higher on examinations than the high activity group.
Conclusions:
- Sleep and physical activity levels were not robust predictors of academic performance in this PharmD student cohort.
- While fitness trackers increased student awareness of their habits, they did not lead to improved academic outcomes.
- The financial investment in fitness trackers for this purpose was not justified by the observed academic results.
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