Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Adapted Physical Activity and Physical Activity Practices Among Medical Students in Morocco: A Cross-Sectional Survey

IntroductionAdapted physical activity (APA) is a non-pharmacological therapy whose prescription requires the training of future physicians.To our knowledge, no study has described the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Moroccan medical students regarding APA.This study aimed to describe the self-reported KAP regarding APA among medical students at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat (FMPR) and to compare first-year students with second-to fifth-year students. MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional online survey was conducted among a convenience sample of first-to fifthyear medical students at the FMPR between September 17, 2026, and October 17, 2026.A 20-item questionnaire hosted on Google Forms was distributed via student groups on social media.All respondents were included, and percentages were calculated with the total sample as the denominator for all items.Firstyear students (n = 68) were compared with second-to fifth-year students (n = 372) using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test, with percentages calculated on the size of each group. ResultsAmong the 440 participants (mean age 20.7 ± 1.6 years; male-to-female ratio, 0.58), 164 (37.3%) reported familiarity with the concept of APA, and 366 (83.2%) selected the expected response regarding its possible use in chronic diseases.Familiarity with the World Health Organization recommendations was reported by 129 (29.3%) respondents.Overall, 405 (92.0%) respondents considered that APA could improve the care pathway, and 364 (82.7%) expressed support for its integration into the curriculum.Regular physical activity was reported by 303 (68.9%) respondents, whereas 322 (73.2%) reported difficulties integrating it into daily life; lack of time was the most frequently cited barrier, reported by 294 (66.8%) respondents.Compared with second-to fifth-year students, first-year students less frequently reported familiarity with the concept of APA (23.5% vs 39.8%; p = 0.011) and with the WHO recommendations (11.8% vs 32.5%; p < 0.001), whereas attitudes toward APA did not differ significantly between the two groups. ConclusionsThese findings, based on self-reported data from a convenience sample, suggest a potential need for structured teaching of APA and physical activity in medical training at the FMPR.Declared familiarity remained limited beyond the first year.Further assessment of students' objective knowledge and of current curricular content is needed to guide this teaching.