INDICATORS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE YOUTH

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sports Science
• Medical Education

Background:

• Physical activity levels in young adults often decline after transitioning to university.
• Global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have impacted lifestyle behaviors worldwide.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for developing targeted health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the physical activity patterns of students at Tbilisi State Medical University.
• To identify factors influencing physical activity levels among Georgian medical students.
• To explore the impact of global events, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic, on student activity.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing a specially developed, anonymous, self-reported questionnaire.
• The questionnaire covered demographics, lifestyle, physical activity, exercise habits, and COVID-19 impact.
• Data from 265 students were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests (Stata 14.0).

Main Results:

• Over 57% of students self-identified as physically passive, with 74.7% taking fewer than 10,000 steps daily.
• Key barriers included the COVID-19 pandemic (65.5%), smartphone use (56.6%), lack of time (79.2%), and low motivation (54.3%).
• Active students (30.6%) engaged in walking, stair climbing, and various sports, with 17.4% meeting 6,000-10,000 steps daily.

Conclusions:

• Georgian medical students exhibit low physical activity levels, mirroring global trends.
• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly contributed to reduced physical activity.
• Addressing barriers like time constraints, motivation, and technology use is essential for promoting student well-being.