title: Physical activity in students of the Medical University of Silesia in Poland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medical students and other health care professionals have substantial knowledge of the benefits of regular physical activity. Furthermore, as they have an ethical obligation to prescribe suitable exercises, they can influence their patients' attitude toward physical activity and can become role models for their patients. Physical therapists, who are primary care practitioners, have great potential for promoting physical activity; however, their role is still underestimated by patients and health care professionals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to evaluate physical activity level in students of the Medical University of Silesia in Poland and to focus on the role of physical therapist students in promoting physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The final analysis included 300 students from the schools of physical therapy, midwifery, nursing, pharmacy, cosmetology, and medicine at the Medical University of Silesia. The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to evaluate physical activity level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical therapist students demonstrated the highest level of physical activity, with 46% demonstrating a high level of physical activity, 54% a moderate level of physical activity, and none a low level of physical activity. The largest group of students with a low level of physical activity comprised students from the school of medicine (26%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The number of respondents was relatively small. The main study limitations included its cross-sectional nature and the possibility of self-report biases. Further research is warranted to expand the study nationally and determine which factors influence physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a large group of medical students who, despite being aware of benefits of physical activity, did not meet the recommended level of physical activity. Physical therapist students are well trained and qualified to promote healthy habits and encourage individuals to undertake regular physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine and Physiology of Physical Effort, Medical University of Silesia, 12 Medyków St, 40-752 Katowice, Poland. mdabrowska-galas@sum.edu.pl
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dąbrowska-Galas
authors.forename: Ryszard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Plinta
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dąbrowska
authors.forename: Violetta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Skrzypulec-Plinta
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011044:Poland; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013336:Students, Health Occupations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult