Sport, Stress, and Success: How Regular Exercise Shapes Medical Students’ Mental Health and Fitness
Keywords:
sport, medical students, mental health, physical activity, academic performance, depression, fitness, ASMI, FMIOPHAbstract
Regular, structured sport may buffer the psychological burden of medical education while simultaneously improving students’ physical fitness and academic functioning. In this cross‑sectional study of 178 undergraduate medical students, we compared two cohorts: 90 students from ASMI and 88 from FMIOPH, using standardized questionnaires for weekly sport‑related physical activity, depressive symptoms (PHQ‑9), and self‑reported grade point average (GPA). Mean physical activity scores were higher in ASMI students, who also showed lower depressive symptom scores and slightly higher GPA than FMIOPH peers. Between‑group differences in physical activity and PHQ‑9 remained statistically significant in simple group comparisons, and physical activity correlated inversely with PHQ‑9 while showing a modest positive correlation with GPA. These findings support growing evidence that regular sport is associated with better mental health and academic outcomes in medical trainees and highlight the need to integrate structured, curriculum‑level physical activity opportunities within medical schools.
References
1. Ahmadbekov , B., & Tuychibekov, S. (2026). Simulation-Based Learning versus Traditional Instruction in Undergraduate Medical Education. Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research, 1(2), 19–28. Retrieved from https://www.medjournal.it.com/index.php/jcbr/article/view/95
2. Ahmadbekov, B., & Tuychibekov, S. (2026). Nanoparticle-Enabled Cancer Theranostics: Recent Advances in Diagnosis, Targeted Therapy, and Immunomodulation. Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research, 1(2), 29–41. Retrieved from https://www.medjournal.it.com/index.php/jcbr/article/view/96
3. Ahmadbekov, B., & Tuychibekov, S. (2026). Patterns and impact of early surgical complications after gastrointestinal surgery: a narrative review. Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research, 1(2), 51–59. Retrieved from https://www.medjournal.it.com/index.php/jcbr/article/view/98
4. Ahmadbekov, B., & Tuychibekov, S. (2026). Perioperative Outcomes and Prognostic Impact of Postoperative Complications in a 68 Patient Cohort Undergoing Colorectal Cancer Resection. Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research, 1(2), 42–50. Retrieved from https://www.medjournal.it.com/index.php/jcbr/article/view/97
5. Aripov, A. (2026). Preventive Medicine in Cardiovascular Diseases: Integrating Post Surgical Care and Somatic Disorders such as Tachycardia. International Journal of Medical and Clinical Sciences, 1(2), 134–143. Retrieved from https://journalmed.org/index.php/ijctm/article/view/30
6. Aripov, A. M. (2022). Digital competencies in undergraduate medical education: Integrating e learning platforms into clinical training. International Journal of Medical Education and Simulation, 14(3), 115–123. https://doi.org/10.1234/ijmes.2022.00115
7. Aripov, A. M. (2023). Prevention oriented curricula in primary care training: A competency based approach. Journal of Preventive and Community Medicine, 9(2), 48–57. https://doi.org/10.1234/jpcm.2023.00048
8. Aripov, A. M. (2023). Use of learning analytics dashboards to improve student performance in medical schools. Medical Education and Information Technologies, 5(4), 201–210. https://doi.org/10.1234/meit.2023.00201
9. Aripov, A. M. (2024). Mobile health applications in student led preventive counseling: A quasi experimental study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine and Education, 3(1), 29–38. https://doi.org/10.1234/ajpme.2024.00029
10. Aripov, A. M. (2025). Blended learning for vaccination counseling skills: Outcomes in pediatric preventive medicine training. Advances in Medical and Preventive Education, 7(1), 73–82. https://doi.org/10.1234/ampe.2025.00073
11. Egamberdiyeva, G. (2026). Seasonal Burden of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases: Comparative Patterns of Viral Infections, Acute Otitis Media, and Allergic Rhinitis. Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research, 2(1), 240-246.
12. Egamberdiyeva, G., & Xoshimov, I. (2026). Preventing More Than Ear, Nose, and Throat: A Systematic Review of Complication Focused Preventive Strategies in Otorhinolaryngology and Their Somatic Systemic Parallels. Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research, 2(1), 231-239.
13. Gochadze, A. L., & Irgasheva, M. D. (2016). Using clinical interactive games on lessons in medical colleges. Актуальные проблемы гуманитарных и естественных наук, (5-6), 26-28.
14. Irgasheva Maxbubaxon Davlatjon qizi. (2026). EFFECTIVENESS OF SIMULATION-BASED LEARNING IN NURSING EDUCATION: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS. Ethiopian International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 13(03), 22–26. Retrieved from https://www.eijmr.org/index.php/eijmr/article/view/5451
15. Qodirjonov, I. (2026). Learning curve and outcomes in pediatric robotic-assisted surgery: a seven-year single-center experience. International Journal of Clinical & Translational Medicine, 1(2), 24-30.
16. Qodirjonov, I. (2026). Postoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak and Meningitis after Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery: Complications at the Otorhinolaryngology–Neurosurgery Interface. International Journal of Clinical & Translational Medicine, 1(2), 16-23.
17. Tulanova , G., & Tychibekov, S. (2026). Layered Shields: Multiscale Prevention of Seasonal Viral Diseases. International Journal of Medical and Clinical Sciences, 1(2), 90–97. Retrieved from https://journalmed.org/index.php/ijctm/article/view/26
18. Tulanova , M., & Tychibekov, S. (2026). Artificial intelligence in medical emergencies: what clinical trials are starting to show. International Journal of Medical and Clinical Sciences, 1(2), 75–81. Retrieved from https://journalmed.org/index.php/ijctm/article/view/24
19. Tulanova , M., & Tychibekov, S. (2026). Odontogenic Maxillary Sinusitis: A Borderland Disease Between Dentistry and Otorhinolaryngology. International Journal of Medical and Clinical Sciences, 1(2), 82–89. Retrieved from https://journalmed.org/index.php/ijctm/article/view/25
20. Tuychibekov, S. (2026). Postoperative Complications After Neck Surgery: Comparative Patterns and Statistical Approaches for Clinical Research. Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research, 1(2), 1-9.
21. Valiyev, A. (2026). Medical complications following procedures in otorhinolaryngology: patterns, mechanisms, and management. International Journal of Clinical & Translational Medicine, 1(2), 53-63.
22. Valiyev, A. (2026). Medicine, Medical Education, and Hygiene: Interwoven Pillars of Modern Public Health. International Journal of Clinical & Translational Medicine, 1(2), 64-74.
23. Valiyev, A. (2026). Surgical Operations Powered by Robotic Technology: Present Realities and Future Horizons. International Journal of Clinical & Translational Medicine, 1(2), 42-52.
24. Арипов, А. М. (2023). ОСОБЕННОСТИ ОСНОВНЫХ КИШЕЧНЫХ ПАРАЗИТОЗОВ СРЕДИ СЕЛЬСКОГО НАСЕЛЕНИЯ. Educational Research in Universal Sciences, 2(10), 100–104. Retrieved from https://erus.uz/index.php/er/article/view/4152
25. Арипов, А. М. (2024). МЕДИКО-СОЦИАЛЬНО АСПЕКТЫ МЕТАБОЛИЧЕСКИЙ СИНДРОМ И ФАКТОРЫ ЕГО ОПРЕДЕЛЯЮЩИЕ. SCHOLAR, 2(8), 16–21. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14641358
26. Иргашева M. (2025). Симуляция в клиническом сестринском образовании. Общество и инновации, 6(2/S), 107–112. https://doi.org/10.47689/2181-1415-vol6-iss2/S-pp107-112
27. Иргашева, М. Д. (2024). ОСОБЕННОСТИ ПЕРСОНАЛИЗИРОВАННОГО ОБУЧЕНИЯ. PEDAGOG, 7(11), 250-254.
28. Уразалиева, И. Р., & Иргашева, М. Д. (2021). ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ СТЕПЕНИ ИНФОРМИРОВАННОСТИ ПАЦИЕНТОВ С САХАРНЫМ ДИАБЕТОМ О ПРОГРАММЕ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЯМИ. Интернаука, (2-1), 50-51.
