Correlation of Stress with Physical Activity Among Students of DPT

Abstract

Background: Stress is highly prevalent among health professional students, potentially impairing academic performance, well-being, and long-term health. Physical activity is widely promoted as a modifiable factor for stress reduction, yet evidence in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students remains limited and inconsistent. Objective: To determine the prevalence of stress among DPT students and examine the correlation between perceived stress levels and physical activity. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 112 full-time DPT students at Isra Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hyderabad, Pakistan, from June to November 2023. Stress was assessed using the International Stress Management Association (ISMA) questionnaire, and physical activity was measured via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Long Form (IPAQ-LF), categorized as low, moderate, or high. Spearman’s rank correlation evaluated the relationship between stress scores and total MET-min/week. Analyses were stratified by gender and academic year. Results: High stress was reported by 62.5% of students, moderate stress by 27.7%, and low stress by 9.8%. Physical activity levels were polarized, with 42.9% reporting low activity, 15.2% moderate, and 42.0% high. No statistically significant correlation was found between stress and physical activity (rho=0.019; 95% CI: −0.16 to 0.19; p=0.839), consistent across subgroups. Conclusion: DPT students exhibit a high prevalence of stress, independent of physical activity levels, indicating that multifaceted, institution-wide interventions are necessary for stress reduction.