The Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Physical Health of Medical Students

Abstract

Ievads: Kopš Covid-19 vīrusa ienākšanas Latvijā, valsts ir piedzīvojusi bargus ierobežojumus, kas ilgst ilgu laiku, lai nodrošinātu iedzīvotāju drošību. Ierobežojumi tika noteikti, lai ierobežotu cilvēku pārvietošanos, tādējādi samazinot vīrusa izplatību. Tāpēc sabiedrībai tika ieteikts palikt mājās. Šajā darbā tiks aplūkots, kā vispārējā pandēmija šajos laikos ietekmēja medicīnas studentu fizisko veselību. Materiāli un metodes: Tika veikts šķērsgriezuma pētījums. Ar Facebook starpniecību Rīgas Stradiņa universitātes Medicīnas fakultātes studentiem tika izplatīta iepriekš izveidota anketa, kas izveidota ar google formām. Rezultāti tika iegūti un analizēti, izmantojot Excel Office un SPSS. Literatūras apskatam un diskusijām saturs tika apkopots, izmantojot tādas datubāzes kā PubMed, UpToDate, Google Scholar, Science Direct un British Medical Council. Rezultāti: Pētījumā tika iekļauti 112 dalībnieki, kuru dati tika analizēti. Vispārējā tendence liecināja, ka fiziskās aktivitātes samazināšanās tika novērota paralēli neparedzētai svara pieaugumam. Galvenā vingrošanas metode pandēmijas laikā bija mājas vingrinājumi, kam sekoja pastaigas ārā. Tika novērota vispārēja fiziskās sagatavotības līmeņa pazemināšanās, kā arī dzīves kvalitātes pazemināšanās. Secinājumi: Noslēgumā jāsaka, ka šis pētījums varēja izpētīt pandēmijas negatīvo ietekmi uz RSU studentu fizisko veselību. Fitnesa līmenis un dzīves kvalitāte šajā laika periodā vairumam studentu samazinājās. Būs jāveic turpmāki pētījumi, lai novērtētu konkrētus mainīgos lielumus un iegūtu plašāku zināšanu klāstu par šo tēmu.

Background: Since the entry of the COVID-19 virus into Latvia, the country has experienced tough restrictions and lockdowns lasting extended periods of time to ensure the safety of the general public. The lockdowns and restrictions were set in place to limit the movement of people thus leading to reducing the transmission of the virus. Therefore, the general public was advised to stay at home. This article will look into how the overall pandemic affected the physical health of medical students during these times. Objectives (aim and task): The aim of this work was to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the physical health of medical students attending Riga Stradins University. The task of this research paper was to explore how the level of activity/fitness, change in weight, diet and access to sports clubs have changed during the time of the pre and during the time of the pandemic. Methods: A cross sectional study was done. A pre-designed questionnaire made with google-forms was distributed through Facebook, to students of medical faculty, at Riga Stradins University. Results were obtained and analyzed through Excel Office and SPSS. For the literature review and discussion, the content was gathered via databases such as PubMed, UpToDate, Google Scholar, Science Direct and British Medical Council. Results: 112 participants were included in the study and their data was analysed. An overall trend showed a decrease in physical activity was noted parallel with an increase in unintended weight gain. The main method of exercising during the pandemic was home exercises followed by walking outdoors. An overall reduction of level of fitness was observed with also a reduction in quality of life. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study was able to investigate the negative impacts the pandemic has on the physical health of students at RSU. Level of fitness and quality of life did decrease over this time period in the majority of students. Further research will need to be implicated to assess specific variables and to gain a wider range of knowledge deeper into this topic.