Research Article

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

Volume: 14 Number: 3 September 17, 2026
TR EN

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

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.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Rehabilitation

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 17, 2026

Submission Date

March 10, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 14 Number: 3

APA
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, 14(3), 218-226. https://doi.org/10.30720/ered.1906568
AMA
1.Yana M, Şahman M, Güneş M. The Relationship Between Exam Anxiety and Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Nutritional Attitudes, Physical Activity, and Sleep Quality in University Students. Ergoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi. 2026;14(3):218-226. doi:10.30720/ered.1906568
Chicago
Yana, Metehan, Murat Şahman, and Musa Güneş. 2026. “The Relationship Between Exam Anxiety and Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Nutritional Attitudes, Physical Activity, and Sleep Quality in University Students”. Ergoterapi Ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi 14 (3): 218-26. https://doi.org/10.30720/ered.1906568.
EndNote
Yana M, Şahman M, Güneş M (September 1, 2026) The Relationship Between Exam Anxiety and Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Nutritional Attitudes, Physical Activity, and Sleep Quality in University Students. Ergoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi 14 3 218–226.
IEEE
[1]M. Yana, M. Şahman, and M. Güneş, “The Relationship Between Exam Anxiety and Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Nutritional Attitudes, Physical Activity, and Sleep Quality in University Students”, Ergoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 218–226, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.30720/ered.1906568.
ISNAD
Yana, Metehan - Şahman, Murat - Güneş, Musa. “The Relationship Between Exam Anxiety and Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Nutritional Attitudes, Physical Activity, and Sleep Quality in University Students”. Ergoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi 14/3 (September 1, 2026): 218-226. https://doi.org/10.30720/ered.1906568.
JAMA
1.Yana M, Şahman M, Güneş M. The Relationship Between Exam Anxiety and Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Nutritional Attitudes, Physical Activity, and Sleep Quality in University Students. Ergoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi. 2026;14:218–226.
MLA
Yana, Metehan, et al. “The Relationship Between Exam Anxiety and Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Nutritional Attitudes, Physical Activity, and Sleep Quality in University Students”. Ergoterapi Ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi, vol. 14, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 218-26, doi:10.30720/ered.1906568.
Vancouver
1.Metehan Yana, Murat Şahman, Musa Güneş. The Relationship Between Exam Anxiety and Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Nutritional Attitudes, Physical Activity, and Sleep Quality in University Students. Ergoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi. 2026 Sep. 1;14(3):218-26. doi:10.30720/ered.1906568

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