Date of Award

5-1-2022

Degree Type

DPT Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Advisor

Alvaro Gurovich

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented increased constraints on physical activity leading to the adoption of more sedentary lifestyles for populations worldwide, including graduate students. The detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle include increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular (CV) disease has conventionally been a pathology associated with older adults, but recent evidence has shown that younger individuals are developing CV issues. The COVID-19 restrictions created an additional barrier furthering graduate students’ sedentary lifestyles and possibly increasing their risk for cardiovascular disease.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study is to determine the effects of COVID-19 restrictions on The University of Texas at El Paso’s (UTEP) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students’ health outcomes. The proposed study’s objectives are: to determine differences in fitness capacity, body composition, physical activity levels, and perceived stress during and after strictCOVID-19 restrictions. We hypothesize that COVID-19 quarantine restrictions will produce detrimental effects of DPT students’ health outcomes.

Subjects: Using convenience sampling, 18 participants were recruited via online meetings and emails from UTEP’s DPT class of 2023. Following the first round, 2 participants dropped out, leaving 16 subjects for data analysis.

Materials/Methods: This longitudinal study required 2 visits (during strict restrictions (Nov.2020) and 8 months after restrictions were lifted (July 2021). Primary outcome measures were cardiorespiratory fitness levels, measured via maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), body composition measured via Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, and blood markers measured via blood samples. Secondary outcome measures were the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess physical activity levels, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to evaluate overall stress levels. A paired t-test for each variable was performed to determine differences in health outcomes.

Results: VO2max (41.66 ± 8.43 ml/Kg/min vs. 36.95 ± 6.56 ml/Kg/min, p=0.013), BMI (25.20 ±3.29 kg/m2 vs. 24.44 ± 2.94 kg/m2, p=0.016), and moderate physical activity (936 ± 733min/week vs. 387.81 ± 517.24 min/week, p=0.01) increased. Total cholesterol levels decreased(360 ± 86 mg/dL vs. 246 ± 70 mg/dL, p=0.002). No significant changes in participants’ fat mass or perceived stress levels were observed.

Conclusion: Following the ease of restrictions, significant increases in CV capacity and moderate exercise time were likely observed due to increased gym access, more in-person learning, and increased social interaction. While BMI increased, body fat % remained statistically unchanged, suggesting BMI gains stemmed from increased muscle mass. Moreover, the PSS revealed similar but insignificant differences in scores, suggesting students’ stress was not related to the restrictions. Results from the blood markers revealed decreased total cholesterol levels, though mean values during both visits were above healthy levels.

Clinical Relevance: The results of this study suggest that easing the COVID-19 restrictions had a positive impact on DPT students’ health and potentially mitigate CV risk factors; reflecting the importance of accessibility for students’ health and how similar educational programs react to future health crises.

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