ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Psychol.
Sec. Sport Psychology
The relationship of Gender with Attitudes towards physical activity, level of Physical Activity and Aerobic capacity among Medical Students
Provisionally accepted
- 1Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
- 2Sultan Qaboos University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Seeb, Oman
- 3Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Seeb, Oman
- 4Oman Medical Speciality Board, Al Athaiba, Oman
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Introduction/Objective Counseling about physical activity (PA) by doctors is influenced by their own attitudes towards physical activities and personal aerobic capacity levels. The study aims to explore ‘gender-specific relationship’ in Attitude Towards PA (ATPA), self-reported PA levels and Aerobic Capacity levels among senior medical students Methods In this cross-sectional study (n=110; males 55; age 21.39 SD 0.939 years), ATPA was measured using a fifty-four-items Kenyon questionnaire; and self-reported PA level using International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The estimated aerobic capacity level was measured using Chester step test (CST). Results Both genders showed a positive overall Kenyon score for ATPA (Females: Males 3.31:3.33). Females scored higher in the domains of health and fitness (4.15 vs 3.75, p<0.001); and reduction of tension (3.59 vs 3.32, p<0.012) whereas males scored higher in the domains of pursuit of vertigo (2.71 vs 3.06, p=0.001) and in tension and risk (2.7 vs 2.94, p=0.011). Estimated aerobic capacity using CST showed that males had (48.37 SD10.11) higher score than females (40.35 SD 5.77; p<0.001; mean difference 8.02). IPAQ-SF analysis categorized 64% students having moderate level of PA but it did not correlate with estimated aerobic capacity measurement using CTS. Conclusion Despite both genders having an equally positive overall ATPA, females prioritized health and stress reduction, while males value thrill and risk. The gap between attitude and PA behavior needs tailored, gender-specific intervention strategies.
Keywords: IPAQ-SF, Chester step test, Kenyon scale, Medical students, physical activity, aerobic capacity
Received: 29 Jul 2025; Accepted: 24 Nov 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 AL Rajaibi, Al-Toubi, Aljaadi, Jaju and Jaju. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Hajar AL Rajaibi
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