Physical Activity and Academic Achievement among Omdurman Islamic University Medical Students 2021

Background Physical activity is important for the prevention of non-communicable diseases and for growth, development and general health. there is evidence that has emerged from university studies suggesting, that physical activity may have a positive effect on students academic achievement. Objectives The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement among Omdurman Islamic University Medical Students in 2021. Materials and methods A des sectional University based study done on faculty of medicine in Omdurman Islamic university. The sample of 295 medical students was taken from the first, second and third year in the Faculty of Medicine in Omdurman Islamic University who studied during the academic years of 2018-2019. The students are between the ages of 18-23 years old and are physically healthy (both active and inactive candidates).A systematic random technique sample was taken from the students during the year 2020.Data Collected through a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire The data was coded and analyzed by a statistician using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Results shows that most students (56.3%) were physically active and the most types of physical activity practiced by the physically active students were walking (42.8%) and play football (25.9%)), and the barriers of being physically active among those physically inactive students were the study load in most of the students (22.4%). the results indicate that there is no direct association between physical activity and academic achievement (P value= o.7). Conclusion Many factors overlap in affecting the academic achievement of students, some of them have a great effect, while student's physical activity level appears have a lesser effect. Recommendations Expanding the study to include a number of universities and majors with a recommendation for Omdurman Islamic University to include the importance of physical activity in its curricula.