Background: Humans now face epidemics of non-infectious diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, as the main cause sedentary life style. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge of medical students about practical aspects of exercise in prevention and treatment of diseases.
Methods: One hundred and fifty interns of Iran University of Medical Sciences who were graduated during 2007-2008 were enrolled. The average age of participants was 26±5 years including 65 men (49%) and 67 woman (51%). A validated and reliable questionnaire with 20 questions was designed and based on the correct response of each intern; a score of 0-20 was considered.
Results: The average scores determined by interns in the first study with standard deviations, modes and median were 2.7, 9.5 and 9.75, respectively and the minimum, maximum and average score of interns were 2, 16 and 9.75, respectively with standard deviation of 3.12 in the second study. There was a 3-hour course for medical students in sport medicine in the second study, but the results did not show significant differences with the first study.
Conclusion: The knowledge of these students was not sufficient about practical aspects of exercise in prevention and treatment of diseases, and it is suggested that medical education authorities prepare this field by providing at least one multi-day training workshop during an internship and or providing students in hospital departments or an independent sports unit at the end of a medical training course.