BARRIERS TO EXERCISE ADHERENCE AMONG DPT, AND PHARMACY STUDENTS AT SARHAD UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, PESHAWAR: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

Abstract

Background: Physical activity is described as "any body movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure," whereas exercise is defined as "any sort of systematic, repeated, and purposeful physical activity designed to maintain or increase physical endurance." Regular physical activity is still an important behavior for maintaining health, delaying or preventing common musculoskeletal disorders like mechanical low back pain, neck and shoulder pain, and lowering the risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, and colon cancer. Adults should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five times per week, high-intensity exercise for at least 20 minutes three times per week, or a combination of both moderate and vigorous activity, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Eliminating physical inactivity would raise the world's population's life expectancy globally.

Objective: The main purpose of our thesis writing to find out the main barrier to exercise adherence that prevent individuals from doing exercises. As we find the main barriers thereby promoting exercise and physical activity and avoid sedentary life style. When we promote exercise then there will be reduction in non-communicable disease development and overall, well health being.

Methodology: A total of 202 individuals were included both male and female in my study from 20-30 years old. The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study and conducted in the bachelor Students Doctor of Physical therapy and Pharmacy, Sarhad University of allied health Science and information technology, Peshawar. Exercise barrier scale was used to collected knowledge from participants. Variable were included that relate to ideas about exercise from different aspect.

Results: A total of 202 DPT and Pharm-D students participated (78.7% males; 21.3% females), with ages ranging from 19–29 years. The most common barriers to exercise were limited exercise facilities and places, fatigue, exercise being hard work, distant facilities, and lack of time. Family responsibilities and lack of family support were also reported as important barriers, while cost was a less common barrier.

Conclusion: The main barrier to exercise adherence where places for exercise are too far away, no encouragement towards exercise by their family towards individuals, proper schedule for exercise, fatigue to exercise and family responsibilities were the main barrier.