THE EFFECT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SLEEP ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND DEPRESSION LEVEL IN 18- 25 YEARS OLD UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

ABSTRACT Aim:Physical activity,which involves movements exceeding basal energy levels, affects both physical and psychological health.This descriptive study examines the effects of physical activity and sleep on quality of life and depression in university students. Methods:Sociodemographic data was collected using a form.Physical activity was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ), sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), depression levels with the Beck Depression Inventory, and quality of life with the Quality of Life Scale (SF-36). Results:While there was no statistically significant correlation between PSQI,which was used to evaluate sleep duration and quality, and SF-36 sub-parameters Physical Function (r=-0.127;p=0.133) and Physical Role Difficulty (r= -0.155;p=0.066);There was a weak negative statistically significant relationship between the sub-parameters of Vitality (r=-0.281*;p=0.001),Social Functioning (r=-0.278*;p=0,001),Pain (r=-0.296*;p=0.000), General Health (r=-0.290*;p=0.000). A statistically significant relationship was found between PSQI and Emotional Role Difficulty (r=-0.300*;p=0.000), Mental Health (r=-0.409*;p=0.000) sub-parameters at a moderate negative level. There was also a statistically significant moderate positive correlation between the total scores of PSQI and Beck Depression Inventory (r=0.483*;p=0.000). Conclusions:Adequate sleep and physical activity improve the quality of life and mood in university students,a critical life stage.Therefore, interventions to assess and improve physical activity levels and sleep quality are necessary. In this population, physical activity levels and sleep quality should be questioned and interventions to improve them are needed.