
Comparison of Cognitive Performance, Stress,
Body Mass Index, and Lung Functions in Exercising and Non Exercising Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study
CC05-CC09
Correspondence
Ritish Reddy Ankireddy,
22, Vaishnavi Triumph Villas, Kismatpur, Hyderabad-500030, Telangana, India.
E-mail: ritishreddya@gmail.com
Introduction: Stress is an inherent part of the human experience, especially among medical students, due to academic pursuits and social commitments. The present study explores the intricate relationship of cognition with perceived stress levels, lung function, and Body Mass Index (BMI) in exercising and non exercising medical students.
Aim: To find out and compare the levels of stress, cognition, BMI, and lung function in exercising and non exercising medical students.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Physiology, JSS Medical College, Constituent College of JSSAHER, Mysuru, Karnataka, India over a span of two months from February 2021 to April 2021. It included 110 participants categorised into an exercising group and a non exercising group. Stress and cognition were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale 10 (PSS-10) and the Modified Mini-mental State Examination (3MS), respectively. The BMI was calculated using Quetelet’s index. Pulmonary function was measured using a computerised spirometer. Associations were determined using a Student’s t-test, with p<0.05 considered significant.
Results: The mean PSS-10 score for exercising students (11.36±3.67) was significantly lower compared to non exercising students (20.71±4.61). The 3MS score of exercisers (97.33±1.73) was significantly higher compared to non-exercisers (94.02±1.40). The mean values of pulmonary functions namely Forced Expiratory Volume 1 (FEV1) (3.43±0.71 L), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) (3.88±0.76 L), and FEV1/FVC (87.94±2.73%) in exercisers, were significantly better than the values for non-exercisers: FEV1 (3.00±0.67 L), FVC (3.48±0.71 L), and FEV1/FVC (85.86±2.75%). The mean BMI of exercisers (21.45±1.43 kg/m2) was significantly lower than that of non-exercisers (23.03±1.35 kg/m2).
Conclusion: Participants who exercise regularly have better cognition, lower stress levels, a healthier BMI, and better lung function than their non exercising counterparts.