Dpt students' health outcomes in response to COVID-19 restrictions

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: Cardiovascular (CV) disease has conventionally been a pathology associated with older adults, but recent evidence has shown that younger individuals are developing CV issues. One of the factors contributing to this epidemic may be the increased time constraints placed on young adults. Specifically, the sedentary activity of full-time students may be causing detrimental effects to their health, including increasing the risk for CV disease. The COVID-19 pandemic has added quarantine restrictions that have further increased the risk for CV disease. 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 fear of COVID during and after strict COVID-19 restrictions. We hypothesize that COVID-19 quarantine restrictions will produce detrimental effects of DPT students' health outcomes. NUMBER OF 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 AND METHODS: This longitudinal study required 2 visits (during strict restrictions (Nov. 2020) and 3 months after restrictions were lifted (July 2021)). Primary outcome measures were cardiorespiratory fitness levels, measured via maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and body composition measured via Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and BMI. Secondary outcome measures were the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess physical activity levels and a validated fear of COVID survey. A paired t-test for each variable was performed to determine differences in health outcomes. RESULTS: After a period of 7 months, participants' VO2max (41.66, SD = 8.43, P = 0.013), BMI (25.20, SD = 3.29, P = 0.016), and moderate physical activity minutes per week (935.94, SD = 733.36, P = 0.01) increased. No significant changes in participants' fear of COVID-19 was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Following the removal of quarantine restrictions, significant increases in aerobic capacity and moderate exercise time were likely observed due to increased workout facility availability, more in-person learning, and increased social interaction. While BMI increased, body fat % remained statistically unchanged, suggesting BMI gains stemmed from muscle mass increasing. Moreover, the unchanged fear of COVID-19 suggests it was not significantly affecting the participants' activity levels;rather, the easing of restrictions was likely a critical factor improving their health. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The results of this study suggest that easing the COVID-19 restrictions can have a positive impact on DPT studentsv 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.