Research Article

Investigation of the Relationships Between Physical Activity Level, Smartphone Addiction, Sleep Quality, and Pain in University Students

Volume: 16 Number: 4 October 1, 2025
EN

Investigation of the Relationships Between Physical Activity Level, Smartphone Addiction, Sleep Quality, and Pain in University Students

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between physical activity level, smartphone addiction, sleep quality, and pain in university students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at KTO Karatay University with the participation of 168 university students. Participants’ physical activity levels, smartphone addiction levels, sleep quality, and pain severity were evaluated with International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and visual analog scale (VAS) respectively. Results: There was no significant relationship between IPAQ-SF scores and other parameters (p>0.05). A moderate positive correlation was found between SAS-SV scores and PSQI results (ρ=0.389, p<0.05), and a weak positive correlation with VAS-headache (ρ=0.163, p<0.05). A moderate positive correlation was found between PSQI and VASheadache (ρ=0.317, p<0.05) and a weak positive correlation with VAS-neck pain (ρ=0.254, p<0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that physical activity levels are significantly low among university students. Also, a relationship was found between the increase in smartphone addiction and the deterioration in sleep quality. In addition, a relationship was found between both smartphone addiction and impaired sleep quality with increased pain levels. Therefore, we recommend awareness studies on physical activity, smartphone addiction, and sleep quality, especially in university students aged 18–27.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Permission for this study was received from KTO Karatay University Non-Pharmaceutical and Non-Medical Device Research Ethics Committee. ((Decision date: 27.10.2023 Decision No: 2023/017).

References

  1. 1. Kraus WE, Powell KE, Haskell WL, et al. Physical activity, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and cardiovascular disease. Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 2019;51:1270. DOI:10.1249/ MSS.0000000000001939
  2. 2. Ozemek C, Lavie CJ and Rognmo Ø. Global physical activity levels-Need for intervention. Progress in cardiovascular diseases. 2019;62:102-7. DOI:10.1016/j.pcad.2019.02.004
  3. 3. Ratan ZA, Parrish A-M, Zaman SB, et al. Smartphone addiction and associated health outcomes in adult populations: a systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2021;18:12257. DOI:10.3390/ijerph182212257
  4. 4. Lim DC, Najafi A, Afifi L, et al. The need to promote sleep health in public health agendas across the globe. The Lancet Public Health. 2023;8:e820-e6. DOI:10.1016/S2468-2667(23)00182-2
  5. 5. Altmış H and Gündüz AG. Baş Ağrılı Bireylerde Servikal Kas İskelet Sistemi Bozukluklari. Gazi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. 2021;6:42-52. DOI:10.52881/gsbdergi.873465
  6. 6. Güloğlu SB and Yalçın Ü. Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Akıllı Telefon Kullanımı Bağımlılığının Boyun Ağrısı ve Disabilite Üzerine Etkisi. Kafkas Journal of Medical Sciences. 2021;11:225-30. DOI:10.5505/ kjms.2021.75057
  7. 7. Saglam M, Arikan H, Savci S, et al. International physical activity questionnaire: reliability and validity of the Turkish version. Perceptual and motor skills. 2010;111:278-84. DOI:10.2466/06.08. PMS.111.4.278-284
  8. 8. Savcı FDS, Öztürk UFM and Arıkan FDH. Üniversite öğrencilerinin fiziksel aktivite düzeyleri. Türk Kardiyol Dern Arfl. 2006;34:166-72.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health (Other) , Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Rehabilitation

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

September 9, 2025

Publication Date

October 1, 2025

Submission Date

July 10, 2024

Acceptance Date

July 28, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 16 Number: 4

EndNote
Karaca O, Yılmaz K (October 1, 2025) Investigation of the Relationships Between Physical Activity Level, Smartphone Addiction, Sleep Quality, and Pain in University Students. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 16 4 636–642.