EXERCISE BEHAVIOR OF PHYSIOTHERAPY AND REHABILITATION STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the exercise behavior of the students of the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation (PT) Department studying at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa.  77 1st grade PT students (56 females, 21 males) were included in this study. Students' sports habits and demographic information were questioned by a questionnaire. Exercise Stages Change Scale-Short Form (ESCS-SF), Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES) and Exercise Decision-Making Balance Scale (EDMBS) for exercise behavior and International Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) for physical activity were used.  The mean age of the students was 19,70±2,4 years. 9.1% of students reported that they do exercises regularly. Distribution of students according to 5-behavioral stages of ESCS-SF: 2.6%“continuation”, 15.6%“movement“, 42.9% “preparation”, 33.8%“thinking” and 5.2%“not thinking”. The mean scores of ESES and EDMBS were 10.01± 88 and 4.16±2.32. 97,4% of them reported a positive perception of exercise. 14.3% of them were low, 72.7% were moderate, and 13% were high level of physical activity. A significant positive correlation was found between IPAQ-SF total score and EDMBS -General and ESES Scores (p<0.05).  This study is the first study to examine the exercise behavior of PT students. Although the majority of the students had a positive perception of exercise, it was observed that they participated in exercise at a low level. Exercise self-efficacy was low and exercise self-efficacy was related to physical activity. We think that it is an important step to define students’ exercise behavior and to gain a lifelong exercise habit.