2012 TPTA Poster Abstracts
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PERCEIVED STRESS AMONG STUDENT PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
Presenter's Name - Last Name First
Arguello, Eric
Presenter's Affiliation, City, State
Texas Woman's University, Dallas, TX
Purpose
Physical activity is often suggested for managing stress. Little if any research has been conducted to determine if there is a relationship between perceived stress and physical activity among student physical therapists (PTs). The purposes of this study included the following: 1) to describe perceived stress levels; 2) to determine if student PTs meet the national recommended guidelines for physical activity; 3) to describe time spent in sedentary activities; and 4) to compare the results between the different classes among the student PTs enrolled in the professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at Texas Woman’s University, School of Physical Therapy, Dallas, TX.
Subjects
DPT Students (n=113) were grouped according to their year in the academic program as Grad I’s, Grad II’s and Grad III’s.
Methods
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Exercise Activities Scale were combined in a questionnaire to describe student PTs’ perceived stress level and the average amount of physical activity performed on a weekly basis.
Data Analysis
Data was analyzed for mean PSS levels, percentages of student who met exercise activity requirements and mean time spent in sedentary activities.
Results
Grad I’s, II’s and III’s had average, slightly higher and slightly lower level of perceived stress respectively. 63% and 33% of Grad I’s, 58% and 25% of Grad II’s and 93% and 83% of Grad III’s met their exercise activity level according to the Exercise Activities Scale and Strength Training Recommendations respectively. Time spent in sedentary activities for Grad I’s, II’s and III’s were 2884 min/wk, 3749 min/wk and 866 min/wk.
Conclusion(s)
This study reveals that student physical therapists experiencing higher levels of perceived stress also demonstrate overall decreased physical activity levels, and that perceived stress and activity levels appear to fluctuate during education. Second-year DPT students experienced the highest levels of perceived stress, associated with decreased levels of overall physical activity, decreased strength training, and increased sedentary levels. Third-year DPT students experienced the lowest levels of perceived stress, associated with increased overall physical activity, decreased strength training, and increased sedentary levels.