Exercise, fitness and musculoskeletal health of undergraduate nursing students: A cross‐sectional study

Aims To describe the exercise, physical fitness and musculoskeletal health of nursing students. Background Nursing students are prone to musculoskeletal disorders restricting work ability. Physical fitness and leisure‐time exercise may affect responses to workplace exposures and risk for work‐related musculoskeletal disorders. Design A cross‐sectional study. Method Between August 2013 and April 2015, a convenience sample of 111 nursing students performed submaximal exercise tests. Nursing work, exercise and musculoskeletal health were surveyed and analysed descriptively. Results Students’ mean age was 30.0 years, 89.2% were female and 20.0% worked in nursing while studying. Highest annual prevalence of musculoskeletal trouble was in low back (45.6%), neck (32.0%) and shoulder (18.5%) regions. Most exercised regularly but did not meet weekly cardiorespiratory, resistance, neuromotor and flexibility exercise recommendations and had poor to average fitness levels. Approximately 40% were overweight or obese; 26.1% had risk for obesity‐related disease. Conclusions Interventions to improve nursing students’ physical condition before entering the nursing workforce appear warranted. Impact Imbalance between physical work capacity and demanding workloads increases musculoskeletal disorder risk amongst undergraduate nursing students. A large proportion studied reported recent musculoskeletal trouble (particularly low back, neck and shoulder). They exhibited modifiable characteristics of overweight/obese, poor fitness and inadequate leisure‐time exercise, predisposing them to work‐related musculoskeletal disorders. Undergraduate preparation should raise nursing students’ health literacy about physical fitness and ways to achieve it, for their musculoskeletal health and work capacity. Improving nursing students’ fitness may enhance their work preparedness and help them achieve longevity in this physically demanding occupation. 目的 描述护理专业学生的运动、身体健康以及肌肉骨骼健康状况。 背景护理专业学生较容易出现肌肉骨骼障碍等疾病,从而导致其工作能力受限。身体健康和休闲锻炼可能会对护理专业学生在工作场所中的反应以及其患有与工作有关的肌肉骨骼疾病的风险等造成影响。设计横断面研究方法2013年8月至2015年4月期间,共111名护理专业学生接受了次极限量运动测试。此外,分别对其护理工作、运动以及肌肉骨骼健康进行了描述性的调查和分析。结果学生平均年龄为30.0岁,其中女性占比89.2%,而在校期间从事过护理工作的学生共占比20.0%。接受测试的学生中,肌肉骨骼疾病中年患病率最高的部位依次是下背部(45.6%)、颈部(32.0%)以及肩部(18.5%)。其中,大多数人定期锻炼,但锻炼水平并未达到每周心肺、阻力、神经运动和柔韧性锻炼的建议标准,并且身体健康水平均较差。其中,约40%的人存在超重或肥胖现象;而26.1%的人有存在肥胖相关疾病的风险。结论护理专业学生在步入护理工作岗位之前,均有必要接受并实施改善身体状况的干预措施。影响体力工作能力与高要求工作负荷之间的不平衡增加了护理专业本科生患肌肉骨骼疾病的风险。目前,已有很大部分研究对学生近期的肌肉骨骼问题(特别是下背部、颈部以及肩部)进行了报告。此类学生均存在超重或