The impact of exercise habits on quality of life among emergency medicine physicians: A cross-sectional study

Gregory Gibbons Orcid logo ,
Gregory Gibbons
Contact Gregory Gibbons

Concordia University Chicago , River Forest , United States

Aaron Aslakson Orcid logo ,
Aaron Aslakson

Crown College , Saint Bonifacius , United States

Bridget Melton Orcid logo ,
Bridget Melton

Georgia Southern University , Statesboro , United States

Helen Bland Orcid logo
Helen Bland

Georgia Southern University , Statesboro , United States

Published: 27.04.2025.

Volume 17, Issue 1 (2025)

pp. 71-82;

https://doi.org/10.31382/eqol.250608

Abstract

Physician quality of life is a critical factor influencing overall health, wellness, occupational stress, and burnout.  Exercise has been demonstrated to enhance quality of life through multiple mechanisms, positively impacting physical, psychological, and social health domains.  The objective of this study was to examine the exercise habits of emergency medicine physicians and their association with quality of life.  A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional design was employed to study 103 attending emergency medicine physicians.  Participants completed an online questionnaire comprising the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) survey to assess physical activity levels and quality of life, respectively.  There was no significant difference between compliance with moderate and vigorous physical activity and quality of life across domains.  However, strength training compliance was statistically significant (p = 0.041) and correlated with improved physical health and quality of life scores.  Quality of life among this cohort was slightly elevated in the physical health domain but lower in psychological, social, and environmental health domains compared to population averages.  Furthermore, age and the number of hours worked per week were not statistically different in any quality of life domains. Exercise compliance among emergency physicians showed no statistically significant impact on quality of life, except for strength training, which was found to significantly enhance the physical health domain of quality of life.

Keywords

References

Abdelhadi Ibrahim, B., Mostafa, M., & Hussein, S. M. (2022a). Professional Quality of Life among Physicians of Tertiary Care Hospitals: An Egyptian Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Public Health Research, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2021.2436
Abdelhadi Ibrahim, B., Mostafa, M., & Hussein, S. M. (2022b). Professional Quality of Life among Physicians of Tertiary Care Hospitals: An Egyptian Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Public Health Research, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2021.2436
Abildso, C. G., Daily, S. M., Umstattd Meyer, M. R., Perry, C. K., & Eyler, A. (n.d.-a). Prevalence of Meeting Aerobic, Muscle-Strengthening, and Combined Physical Activity Guidelines During Leisure Time Among Adults, by Rural-Urban Classification and Region — United States, 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(4), 85–89. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7204a1
Abildso, C. G., Daily, S. M., Umstattd Meyer, M. R., Perry, C. K., & Eyler, A. (n.d.-b). Prevalence of Meeting Aerobic, Muscle-Strengthening, and Combined Physical Activity Guidelines During Leisure Time Among Adults, by Rural-Urban Classification and Region — United States, 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(4), 85–89. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7204a1
Abramson, S., Stein, J., Schaufele, M., Frates, E., & Rogan, S. (2000a). Personal exercise habits and counseling practices of primary care physicians: A national survey. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 10(1), 40.

Citation

Copyright

Article metrics

Google scholar: See link

The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Most read articles