From lectures to laps: a cross-sectional and comparative analysis exploring physical activity patterns in medical...

Physical activity (PA) improves health and quality of life, while providing an effective coping strategy against burnout. This study assessed PA levels among medical students and junior doctors in Malta, exploring demographic differences and relationships with anxiety, energy drink/coffee consumption, and career progression, addressing a gap in the literature.

Two hundred twenty-nine participants (161 medical students; 68 foundation year doctors; mean age=22.90 years) completed an online questionnaire including demographic data, standardized measures of PA (GLTEQ) and anxiety (GAD-7) and questions on energy drink/coffee consumption and career progression.

Results revealed a significant negative relationship between PA and age, rs(227)=-0.14, P=0.04. Males carried out more PA (OR=1.82, 95% CI, 1.12 to 2.94) than females (U=4671.00, z=-2.42, P=0.02); this gender difference in PA was present in medical students (P=0.01) not junior doctors (P=0.75). Male junior doctors were less anxious than females (U=319.00, z=-2.32, P=0.02); no significant gender difference in anxiety was revealed in medical students (P=0.76). No significant correlation was found between PA and anxiety (P=0.41) or energy drink consumption (P=0.81, 1.00). No difference in PA levels was revealed between medical students and junior doctors (P=0.09).

Further research is needed to compare PA levels between medical and general populations. The findings underscore the importance of including PA in medical curricula for students'/doctors' wellbeing and for effective lifestyle advice.