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Journals / Ergoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 14 Sayı: 3

The Relationship Between Exam Anxiety and Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Nutritional Attitudes, Physical Activity, and Sleep Quality in University Students

Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Sınav Kaygısı ile Kas-İskelet Sistemi Rahatsızlıkları, Beslenme Alışkanlıkları, Fiziksel Aktivite ve Uyku Kalitesi Arasındaki İlişki

Metehan Yana(KARABÜK ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SAĞLIK BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0002-9290-1716
Murat Şahman(KARABÜK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0009-0001-5030-6636
Musa Güneş(KARABÜK ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-8532-2575
Pages
218–226
Publication Date
2026-09-17
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Therefore, it highlights the need for preventive strategies that address psychological and musculoskeletal disorders during exam periods.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between exam anxiety and musculoskeletal disorders, nutritional attitudes, physical activity, and sleep quality in university students during exam periods.
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Key Findings & Data:Materials and Methods: This study included 204 university students (144 female, 60 males; 20.92±1.81 years) during an examination period.
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Conclusion & Impact:Therefore, it highlights the need for preventive strategies that address psychological and musculoskeletal disorders during exam periods.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Fiziksel aktivite · kas-iskelet ağrısı · sınav

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between exam anxiety and musculoskeletal disorders, nutritional attitudes, physical activity, and sleep quality in university students during exam periods. Materials and Methods: This study included 204 university students (144 female, 60 males; 20.92±1.81 years) during an examination period. Exam anxiety was assessed using the Revised Test Anxiety (RTA) scale. Participants' musculoskeletal disorders (Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ)), nutritional attitudes (Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition (ASHN)), physical activity level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ)), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)) were also evaluated. Results: Participants most frequently reported upper back, neck, and lower back pain, with 42.2% being inactive and 66.7% having poor sleep quality. RTA was positively correlated with CMDQ (r=0.196, p=0.005) and PSQI (r=0.266, p<0.001) and negatively correlated with ASHN (r=-0.350, p<0.001) and IPAQ (r=-0.360, p<0.001). Conclusions: In university students, exam anxiety is associated with an increase in musculoskeletal disorders, particularly in the upper back, neck, and lower back. Increased exam anxiety is linked to poor eating habits, worsened sleep quality, and decreased levels of physical activity. Therefore, it highlights the need for preventive strategies that address psychological and musculoskeletal disorders during exam periods.

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, sınav dönemlerinde üniversite öğrencilerinde sınav kaygısı ile kas-iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıkları, beslenme tutumları, fiziksel aktivite ve uyku kalitesi arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışmaya sınav döneminde olan 204 (144 kadın, 60 erkek; 20,92±1,81 yaş) üniversite öğrencisi dahil edilmiştir. Sınav kaygısı, Gözden Geçirilmiş Sınav Kaygısı (RTA) ölçeği kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Katılımcıların kas-iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıkları (Cornell Kas-İskelet Sistemi Rahatsızlık Anketi (CMDQ)), beslenme tutumları (Sağlıklı Beslenme Tutum Ölçeği (ASHN)), fiziksel aktivite düzeyi (Uluslararası Fiziksel Aktivite Anketi-Kısa Form (IPAQ)) ve uyku kalitesi (Pittsburgh Uyku Kalitesi Endeksi (PSQI)) de değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Katılımcılar en sık olarak üst sırt, boyun ve bel ağrısı bildirmişlerdir; %42,2'si hareketsiz ve %66,7'si kötü uyku kalitesine sahiptir. RTA, CMDQ (r=0.196, p=0.005) ve PSQI (r=0.266, p<0.001) ile pozitif, ASHN (r=-0.350, p<0.001) ve IPAQ (r=-0.360, p<0.001) ile ise negatif korelasyon göstermiştir. Sonuç: Üniversite öğrencilerinde sınav kaygısı, özellikle üst sırt, boyun ve bel olmak üzere kas-iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıklarında artışla ilişkilidir. Artan sınav kaygısı, kötü beslenme alışkanlıkları, uyku kalitesinde kötüleşme ve fiziksel aktivite düzeylerinde azalma ile bağlantılıdır. Bu nedenle, sınav dönemlerinde psikolojik ve kas-iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıklarını ele alan önleyici stratejilere duyulan ihtiyacı vurgulamaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Yana, M., Şahman, M., Güneş, M. (2026). The Relationship Between Exam Anxiety and Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Nutritional Attitudes, Physical Activity, and Sleep Quality in University Students. Ergoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi, Cilt: 14 Sayı: 3, 218–226. https://doi.org/10.30720/ered.1906568

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