Investigating gender differences in physical activity behaviour and social cognitions towards physical activity among first-year medical students

Abstract

Evidence suggests active physicians and medical students are more likely to counsel patients about physical activity (PA) yet many remain inactive. Investigating determinants of medical student PA is a necessary step in developing promotion strategies that foster consistent PA behaviour and counselling throughout the medical career. Research has shown that gender differences in medical student PA behaviour may exist; thus, the purpose of this study was to examine gender differences in PA behaviour and social cognitions (SC) among first-year medical students. Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, it was hypothesized that differences in SC towards PA may influence the observed PA habits of medical students. First-year medical students from Ontario [n=95; 23±2 years (31 males)] completed questionnaires assessing PA levels and SC towards PA participation throughout medical school. Males reported greater moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) per week compared to females (M:245±204 min/week vs. F:160±120 min/week, p=0.012). No differences in SC toward PA were observed between genders (all ps>0.05). Bivariate correlations revealed that for males, attitudes and intentions to participate in PA were significantly correlated with MVPA (all rs>0.511; ps0.301; ps<0.05). These results provide insights into the theoretical constructs that influence medical student PA, and how these factors may differ between genders. Promotion strategies that address gender differences in MVPA may be an important step to increase medical student PA habits and the PA counselling they provide.

Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank the Exercise is Medicine® on Campus chapter at Queen's University for their assistance in data collection and Queen's University School of Medicine for providing the opportunity to collect data at the Ontario Medical Student's Weekend.