Academic-year differences and psychophysiological associations with objective spinal parameters in physiotherapy students: a cross-sectional DIERS formetric 4D study

Background

Physiotherapy students are exposed to differing physical and psychological demands across classroom-based and clinical stages of training. Although musculoskeletal symptoms, stress, sleep quality and burnout have been widely investigated in healthcare students, these factors have rarely been examined together using objective three-dimensional spinal assessment. This study compared spinal parameters between third- and fourth-year physiotherapy students and examined their associations with academic-year-related physical exposure, psychophysiological factors, sleep quality, and physical activity.