Association of the level of physical activity and occurrence of headache in 20-30 years old medical students / Francis Ivan F. Castro, Ahina Karla T. Duyan, Kristine Joy F. Montano, Ryan Mitchel L. Montes, Darleen Ara P. Soriano and Paul Anthony B. Tiples.

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.

Abstract: Numerous studies determined that headache is the most frequent group of disease in the community. It usually affects work, social and leisure activities and has a tremendous impact on a person's life. There are also studies that determined that headache has a high impact on a student's life that leads to frequent absenteeism or decreases productivity at work. A study also determined that exercise can be use as prophylactic treatment for migraine and has significant reduction of pain intensity. In addition, it has a beneficial effects on length and frequency of headache, without worsening the pain. These exercises includes aerobic exercise, stretching exercise, posture exercise and relaxation techniques. There are only few studies that correlates physical activities and headache among medical students. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the level of physical activity and occurrence of headache among young adults aged 20-30 years old. This study utilized a cross-sectional study design that compares physical activity and occurrence of headache with medical students aged 20-30 years old using IPAQ to assess the level of their physical activity. A headache questionnaire was excerpted from Headache Intake Questionnaire that assesses the frequency and intensity of headache. Research participants were obtained through stratified random sampling with a sample size of 378 students and were stratified into 3 groups with 126 research participants per year level. Results showed that there is a significant relationship on occurrence and intensity of headache and level physical activity as the p-value (Sig.) is less than the alpha level of 0.05. For headache frequency and physical activity, p=-.305. For headache intensity and physical activity, p=-.304. The differences found in these variables are statistically significant. In conclusion, the researches determined that the level of physical activity and occurrence of headache among 20-30 years old young adults shows a significant difference. The higher level of physical activity, the lesser frequency and intensity of headache or vise versa; the lower level of physical activity the higher the frequency and intensity of headache.

Thesis - School of Physical Therapy