The practice of physical exercise related to anxiolytic and depressive symptoms in medical students at Unochapecó.

Abstract

In Brazil, anxiety and depression disorders affect, respectively, 20% and 30% of the population throughout their lives. It is noted that individuals often worry excessively about routine activities. Medical students, however, can be seen as a risk group for the development of anxiety and depression. As soon as they enter college, students are already forced to change their routines in order to be able to reconcile the course with their personal life, often leaving aside healthy eating and physical exercise. The objective of the article was to identify the relationship between the practice of physical activity and the presence of anxiolytic and/or depressive symptoms among medical students at the Community University of the Chapecó region (Unochapecó). Data collection was carried out through a questionnaire composed of twelve questions, including qualitative and quantitative questions. The database was completed with 71 academics from the course, who are enrolled in the first, third and fifth period, in 2019. About 70% of the students who participated in the survey responded that they consider themselves anxious. However, a decrease in anxiolytic symptoms could be noted in students who practice physical activity regularly. However, the practice of physical activity in depressed people did not have a significant positive result. The study indicates that the practice of physical exercises in an intensified way may be related to a lower rate of anxiolytic symptoms and depressive symptoms in medical students. Therefore, it is essential that students maintain a routine with adequate quality of life, in order to reduce the risk of such mental disorders.