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BACKGROUND: Prolonged sitting and poor posture can contribute to musculoskeletal pain and have a negative effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among young adults. Any prolonged posture leads to static loading of soft tissues and causes discomfort. Seated posture leads to inactivity causing an accumulation of metabolites, accelerating disk degeneration and musculoskeletal pain. Regular exercise has major contributions to the prevention and treatment of some health problems such as musculoskeletal disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of online posture exercises on musculoskeletal pain and health related quality of life among university students receiving distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial involved 72 students divided into intervention (n = 35) and control (n = 37) groups. The intervention group followed an 8-week online stretching and posture exercise program. Baseline and 8-week results were measured using the SF-36 QoL Questionnaire and Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ). RESULTS: Students spent an average of 5.4 ± 2.5 hours daily at computers. While there was no difference between the scores of any region in the CMDQ in the control group, there was a decrease in the neck, right shoulder, left shoulder, waist, left upper leg, right lower leg, and left lower leg discomfort scores in the intervention group (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the total score of SF-36 and the sub-dimensions of vitality and mental health (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The online posture exercise program led to notable reductions in musculoskeletal pain and improvements in QoL among university students. Examining the effectiveness of online exercise programs in different age groups is important for health benefits during quarantines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between levels of anxiety, sleep quality and musculoskeletal pain of university students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Material and Method: The cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted between February 15-May 15, 2021 with 316 students studying in two health services vocational schools of an university. The research data were collected using a questionnaire form including Personal Identification Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The data were analyzed with Spearman correlation analysis and Students's t test. Findings: The participants' mean State Anxiety score was 40,4±111 (20-76), and Trait Anxiety mean score was 44,8±9,2 (22-57). The mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was 7,9±2,8 (6-10). The areas where students stated most pain and discomfort were back, waist and neck regions. It was found that as the total score of state and trait anxiety increased, sleep quality worsened. It was determined that the state and trait anxiety scores of the students who described pain, soreness and tenderness in the last 12 months in all defined musculoskeletal system regions except the elbows were high. Conclusion: The study showed that the relationship between students' anxiety, sleep quality and musculoskeletal pain levels during the Covid-19 outbreak. This study has a critical value in terms of showing the increase in musculoskeletal problems with the decrease in physical activity and the relationship between this situation and anxiety levels, and also showing that it will be important to determine the anxiety levels of students in the treatment of sleep disorders. In this process, it can be said that arranging desk exercise programs for students can be beneficial for both musculoskeletal problems and anxiety levels, thus improving their sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]