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<article xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="1.0"><Article><Journal><PublisherName>yemenjmed</PublisherName><JournalTitle>Yemen Journal of Medicine</JournalTitle><PISSN>c</PISSN><EISSN>o</EISSN><Volume-Issue>Volume 4 Issue 1</Volume-Issue><IssueTopic>Multidisciplinary</IssueTopic><IssueLanguage>English</IssueLanguage><Season>January- April 2025</Season><SpecialIssue>N</SpecialIssue><SupplementaryIssue>N</SupplementaryIssue><IssueOA>Y</IssueOA><PubDate><Year>2025</Year><Month>05</Month><Day>22</Day></PubDate><ArticleType>Article</ArticleType><ArticleTitle>Correlation Between Physical Activity and Stress Levels in Allied Health Science Students During Examination Periods</ArticleTitle><SubTitle/><ArticleLanguage>English</ArticleLanguage><ArticleOA>Y</ArticleOA><FirstPage>140</FirstPage><LastPage>145</LastPage><AuthorList><Author><FirstName>Christian</FirstName><LastName>Gendemeh1</LastName><AuthorLanguage>English</AuthorLanguage><Affiliation/><CorrespondingAuthor>N</CorrespondingAuthor><ORCID/><FirstName>Atul</FirstName><LastName>Khajuria2</LastName><AuthorLanguage>English</AuthorLanguage><Affiliation/><CorrespondingAuthor>Y</CorrespondingAuthor><ORCID/><FirstName>Pravin</FirstName><LastName>Kumar3</LastName><AuthorLanguage>English</AuthorLanguage><Affiliation/><CorrespondingAuthor>Y</CorrespondingAuthor><ORCID/></Author></AuthorList><DOI>10.63475/yjm.v4i1.0068</DOI><Abstract>Background: Allied health science students often experience elevated academic stress due to the demanding nature of their curricula, which blend theoretical instruction with clinical practice. Examination periods, in particular, exacerbate psychological pressure, potentially compromising academic performance and overall well-being. Physical activity (PA) has been widely recognized for its protective role against stress, yet limited research has been conducted specifically among allied health science students. This study examined the correlation between physical activity and perceived stress levels among undergraduate allied health students during examination periods at Desh Bhagat University.&#13;
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional correlational study was conducted over eight weeks, from October to November 2024. 250 undergraduate students were proportionately and randomly selected from the Nursing, Physiotherapy, Radiography, and Medical Laboratory Science departments. Data collection instruments included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and one-way ANOVA were performed using SPSS version 25 to analyze the data.&#13;
Results: Out of 250 questionnaires distributed, 237 were deemed valid for analysis. Among the respondents, 40.9% reported low physical activity, 38.4% moderate, and 20.7% high. In terms of stress levels, 65.4% experienced moderate stress, and 19.4% reported high stress. A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between physical activity and perceived stress (r = -0.42, p &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, one-way ANOVA revealed that students with higher physical activity levels had significantly lower stress scores (F = 18.93, p &lt; 0.001).&#13;
Conclusion: Physical activity is an effective non-pharmacological strategy for mitigating academic stress among allied health science students. The results highlight the importance of promoting regular physical activity, particularly during high-stress academic periods, as a means of enhancing mental well-being and academic success.</Abstract><AbstractLanguage>English</AbstractLanguage><Keywords>Allied Health Students, Physical Activity, Academic Stress, Examination Periods, IPAQ-SF, PSS-10, Student Wellness, Mental Health</Keywords><URLs><Abstract>https://yemenjmed.com/admin/abstract?id=153</Abstract></URLs><References><ReferencesarticleTitle>References</ReferencesarticleTitle><ReferencesfirstPage>16</ReferencesfirstPage><ReferenceslastPage>19</ReferenceslastPage><References>Shaban IA, Khater WA, Akhu-Zaheya LM. Undergraduate nursing studentsand;rsquo; stress sources and coping behaviours during their initial period of clinical training: A Jordanian perspective. Nurse Educ Pract. 2012;12(4):204and;ndash;209.Pulido-Martos M, Augusto-Landa JM, Lopez-Zafra E. Sources of stress in nursing students: A systematic review of quantitative studies. Int Nurs Rev. 2012;59(1):15and;ndash;25.Dyrbye LN, Thomas MR, Shanafelt TD. Systematic review of depression, anxiety, and other indicators of psychological distress among U.S. and Canadian medical students. Acad Med. 2006;81(4):354and;ndash;373.Al-Sowygh ZH. Academic distress, perceived stress and coping strategies among dental students in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Dent J. 2013;25(3):97and;ndash;105.Stults-Kolehmainen MA, Sinha R. The effects of stress on physical activity and exercise. Sports Med. 2014;44(1):81and;ndash;121.Dishman RK, Berthoud HR, Booth FW, Cotman CW, Edgerton VR, Fleshner MR, et al. Neurobiology of exercise. Obesity. 2006;14(3):345and;ndash;356.Basso JC, Suzuki WA. The effects of acute exercise on mood, cognition, neurophysiology, and neurochemical pathways: A review. Brain Plast. 2017;2(2):127and;ndash;152.Tsatsoulis A, Fountoulakis S. The protective role of exercise on stress system dysregulation and comorbidities. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006;1083(1):196and;ndash;213.Ryan RM, Deci EL. Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. Am Psychol. 2000;55(1):68and;ndash;78.Lubans DR, Richards J, Hillman CH, Faulkner G, Beauchamp MR, Nilsson M, et al. Physical activity for cognitive and mental health in youth: A systematic review of mechanisms. Pediatrics. 2016;138(3):e20161642.Nguyen-Michel ST, Unger JB, Hamilton J, Spruijt-Metz D. Associations between physical activity and perceived stress/hassles in college students. Stress Health. 2006;22(3):179and;ndash;188Mikolajczyk RT, Ansari WE, Maxwell AE. Food consumption frequency and perceived stress and depressive symptoms among students in three European countries. Nutr J. 2008;8:31.Gerber M, Holsboer-Trachsler E, Pand;uuml;hse U, Brand S. Exercise is medicine for patients with major depressive disorders: But only if the and;quot;pilland;quot; is taken! Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2014;10:1909and;ndash;1917.El Ansari W, Stock C, Mikolajczyk RT. Relationships between food consumption and living arrangements among university students in four European countries: A cross-sectional study. Nutr J. 2014;11(1):28.Melnyk BM, Slevin C, Militello L, Hoying J, Teall A, McGovern C. Physical health, lifestyle beliefs and behaviors, and mental health of entering graduate health professional students: Implications for education and practice. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2016;28(4):204and;ndash;211.Anderson E, Shivakumar G. Effects of exercise and physical activity on anxiety. Front Psychiatry. 2013;4:27.Walsh JR, McCartney D, Oand;rsquo;Shea D. The impact of academic stress on physical activity and sleep among university students during examination periods: A prospective study. J Am Coll Health. 2020;1and;ndash;7.World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Geneva: WHO; 2020. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015128</References></References></Journal></Article></article>
