Assessment of physical activity and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among medical students in Poland

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide despite declining mortality. Regular physical activity-even of low intensity-plays a key preventive role. Globally, 31% of the population fails to attain the recommended level of physical activity; this includes healthcare workers. The lifestyle of medical- -faculty students may affect their own health and their effectiveness in promoting healthy behaviors. Materials and methods: In 2025, a nationwide survey was conducted among 448 medical-faculty students from 22 Polish universities using an original standardized online questionnaire. Statistical analysis employed Pearson's Chi², the Chi² test for independence of rows (Chi² NW), and Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05). Respondents were grouped by field and year of study. Results: 74.8% of students rated their physical activity as moderate or high, of whom 57.8% exercised regularly. A higher activity level correlated significantly with better self-rated health (p < 0.0001), suggesting both an objective benefit of exercise and greater health awareness. The most popular activities were strength training, running, and cycling, with the gym ranked first. Motivations included improved well-being, health, appearance, and stress reduction. Women preferred yoga, dance, and group classes, whereas men opted for the gym, running, and team sports. During the examination period, 82.6% of students reduced activity, illustrating the impact of study workload on lifestyle. Conclusions: Physical activity among medical-faculty students is often insufficient, potentially increasing cardiovascular risk. Promoting exercise during their training is crucial for their own health and for effective prevention in the general population.