Major limitations in knowledge of physical activity guidelines among UK medical students revealed: implications for the undergraduate medical curriculum.

BACKGROUND: Education of health professionals is a key element of the wider strategy to increase society's physical activity levels. To date, no study has directly assessed UK medical students' knowledge of physical activity guidelines or their ability/willingness to prescribe exercise.
METHODS: A questionnaire survey of final year medical students in Scottish Universities was conducted prior to a presentation on the current UK guidelines.
RESULTS: Completed questionnaires (n=177) represented 37% of the final year cohorts. Physical inactivity was incorrectly perceived to be the least important risk factor to global mortality. 40% stated they were aware of current guidelines, but in a forced choice, 68% were able to correctly identify them for adults. In comparison, 97% correctly identified the UK's alcohol guidelines. 52% stated they felt adequately trained to give physical activity advice to the general public.
CONCLUSIONS: The medical students in this study underestimated the risk of physical inactivity, and did not know the physical activity guidelines as well as other health promotion guidelines. A large proportion remained unconfident about giving physical activity advice. Improved education of this group is required.