Physical Activity Levels and Musculoskeletal Health Among Health Science Academicians at Istanbul Aydin University (PA-ACAD-IAU)

February 25, 2026 updated by: FATMA ÇAVDARCI, Istanbul Aydın University

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH POSTURE, SLEEP QUALITY, DEPRESSION, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL PROBLEMS AMONG HEALTH SCIENCE ACADEMICIANS AT ISTANBUL AYDIN UNIVERSITY

This study aims to investigate the relationship between physical activity levels and posture, sleep quality, depression, and musculoskeletal system problems among academic staff working in the health sciences field at Istanbul Aydın University.

Modern technological developments and sedentary work patterns have significantly reduced daily physical activity levels. Academic personnel often spend long hours sitting, preparing lectures, conducting research, and using computers, which may negatively affect posture and increase the risk of musculoskeletal pain. Reduced physical activity has also been associated with poor sleep quality and increased depressive symptoms.

This cross-sectional study will include academic staff aged 23-65 years working in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Participation will be voluntary. Data will be collected using a sociodemographic information form and validated assessment tools, including the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ), New York Posture Rating Chart, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.

The primary objective is to evaluate whether physical activity levels are associated with posture, sleep quality, depression levels, and musculoskeletal complaints. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of preventive strategies aimed at improving occupational health, well-being, and quality of life among academic personnel.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study is designed as a cross-sectional, quantitative observational study conducted at Istanbul Aydın University. The target population consists of academic staff working in the Faculty of Health Sciences between the ages of 23 and 65 years. Participation will be voluntary, and written informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to data collection.

Sociodemographic variables including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), educational level, weekly working hours, years of professional experience, smoking status, and caffeine consumption will be recorded. Physical activity levels will be assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Total metabolic equivalent (MET) scores will be calculated according to standardized scoring procedures, and participants will be categorized into low, moderate, and high physical activity levels.

Postural assessment will be performed using the New York Posture Rating Chart. Sleep quality will be evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), where higher total scores indicate poorer sleep quality. Depressive symptoms will be measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Musculoskeletal complaints will be assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, which evaluates the presence of pain in different body regions.

Statistical analyses will be performed using IBM SPSS software. Normality of data distribution will be assessed using appropriate tests. Parametric or non-parametric tests will be applied accordingly, including independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis, chi-square test, and regression analysis where appropriate. Statistical significance will be set at p < 0.05.

The study aims to identify potential associations between physical activity levels and posture, sleep quality, depression, and musculoskeletal problems, thereby contributing to occupational health research and the development of preventive health strategies for academic staff.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

73

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

  • Name: Fatma Cavdarcı, PhD Candidate
  • Phone Number: +905374590918
  • Email: cvdrcftm@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of academicians working in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Istanbul Aydın University. Participants are between 23 and 65 years of age and have at least one year of academic experience. The study targets voluntary academic staff without severe psychiatric disorders or major musculoskeletal conditions requiring medical treatment.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Academicians working in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Istanbul Aydın University
  • Aged between 23 and 65 years
  • At least 1 year of academic experience
  • Voluntary agreement to participate and signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia)
  • Pregnancy
  • Use of antipsychotic medication
  • History of recent trauma or surgical operation within the last year
  • Severe musculoskeletal disorders requiring medical or surgical treatment (e.g., advanced scoliosis or kyphosis)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Health Sciences Academic Staff
This cohort includes academic staff working in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Istanbul Aydın University. Participants are between 23 and 65 years of age and will complete validated questionnaires assessing physical activity, posture, sleep quality, depression, and musculoskeletal complaints. No intervention will be applied. This is an observational cross-sectional study with a single group.
Other: Observational Data Collection
No intervention is applied in this study. Participants will complete validated questionnaires assessing physical activity, posture, sleep quality, depression, and musculoskeletal complaints. This is an observational cross-sectional assessment study.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Physical Activity Level (IPAQ-SF Total MET-min/week Score)
Time Frame: At baseline (single assessment)
Total physical activity level will be assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The total MET-minutes per week score will be calculated according to IPAQ scoring guidelines.
At baseline (single assessment)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Posture Score (New York Posture Rating Chart)
Time Frame: At baseline (single assessment)
Postural alignment will be evaluated using the New York Posture Rating Chart. Total posture score will be calculated according to standardized scoring criteria.
At baseline (single assessment)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Istanbul Aydın University

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Gozde Basbug, MD, PhD, Istanbul Aydın University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

March 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

April 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 25, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 25, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 3, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 3, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 25, 2026

Last Verified

February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • IAU-ACAD-PA-2026-01

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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