Impact Physical Exercise Has on Academic Satisfaction in PA Students

Work Type

Poster

Abstract

Physical exercise has endless documented benefits ranging from improving physical health, adjunct treatment for mental health conditions, and prevention of cognitive or functional decline.1 The question guiding this project was, "how does physical activity impact academic satisfaction in physician assistant students?" The curiosity behind this question is rooted to the understanding that both didactic and clinical year for physician assistant (PA) students is both challenging and time consuming. Does taking time to promote physical activity and exercise have benefit in academic satisfaction for this rigorous curriculum? To further evaluate this consideration and topic, a survey was designed and distributed to all PA students at Des Moines University in the spring of 2025. This survey was aimed to get data about the current PA students regarding their physical activity habits and their self-perceived academic satisfaction. Based on the results and analysis, a conclusion could be drawn out to identify if exercise has a correlation with increased academic satisfaction and if so, the amount of exercise that is most optimal. These results could be educated to incoming PA students to help inform them of successful habits that promote academic satisfaction through physical exercise. This topic is special to me in that through both my didactic and clinical year of PA school, I noticed changes in my physical and mental health with fluctuating workout habits. I was faced with the question of if the time spent exercising would be better spent doing alternative activities when taking a break from schoolwork. With the significant change in lifestyle that comes with starting a PA program, it is important to be able to take time out of schoolwork to do activities that promote physical and mental health.

Publication Date

5-21-2025

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