Influence of extracurricular activities on student well-being
https://doi.org/10.34215/1609-1175-2026-1-22-28
Abstract
Objective: To review available data on the impact of extracurricular activities (ECA) on the health of medical university students and identify areas for further research Materials and methods. An analytical review of Russian and international publications from 2020 to 2025 was conducted, focusing on various types of extracurricular activities for students, including physical, volunteer, research, cultural, creative, and tutoring activities. A total of 64 sources were analyzed, and 42 were included in the review. These studies examined the effects of extracurricular activities on students’ physical, psychological, and social well-being. Results. The study found that students who participate in extracurricular activities experience improved physical and mental health, and develop stress resilience, leadership, and communication skills. Student involvement in extracurricular activities also correlates with higher academic performance and greater satisfaction with education. In particular, sports and dance activities improve physical fitness and reduce anxiety levels, while participation in volunteer and academic communities enhances social adjustment and subjective well-being. However, due to their descriptive nature and reliance on self-reports, most studies are limited in their objectivity. Thus, further longitudinal studies using validated scales should be conducted. Conclusion. Extracurricular activities among medical university students contribute significantly to health protection and professional development, fostering a health-promoting educational environment, thereby fostering a health-promoting educational environment. The obtained data can serve as a basis for developing preventive and organizational hygiene measures aimed at maintaining students’ psychophysiological well-being.
About the Author
A. D. Klimov
N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Alexey D. Klimov - Postgraduate Student, Department of Hygiene, Institute of Preventive Medicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University.
1 bldg. 6, Ostrovityanova str., Moscow, 117513
References
1. Rakhmanov RS, Bogomolova ES, Olyushina EA, Piskarev YuG, Tsaryapkin EV, Khairov RSh, Kalyuzhny EA. Assessment of physical health of final-year medical students and young physicians. Public HealthandLife Environment. 2023;31(4):70–76. (InRuss.). doi: 10.35627/2219-5238/2023-31-4-70-76
2. Belyaeva YuN, Shemetova GN, Dosov SV, Dudykina IV. Psychological profile of students: levels of stress andpossibilities of its correction. ModernHigh Technologies. 2019;(6):131–135. (In Russ.).
3. Meermanova IB, Koigeldinova ShS, Ibraev SA. The health status of students studying in higher educational institutions. International Journal of Applied and Fundamental Research. 2017;2–2:193–197. (In Russ.).
4. Brown CEB, Richardson K, Halil-Pizzirani B, Atkins L, Yücel M, Segrave RA. Key influences on university students’ physical activity: a systematic review using the Theoretical Domains Framework and the COM-B model of human behaviour. BMC Public Health. 2024;24:418. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-17621-4
5. Glybochko PV, Esaulenko IE, Popov VI, Petrova TN. Health of Russian medical university students: problems and solutions. Sechenov Medical Journal. 2017;28(2):4–11. (In Russ.).
6. Novoselova GA, Fomenko EG, Kol'kina EA. Health-preserving educational technologies in a modern university. ModernProblems of Science and Education. 2019;(5):24. (In Russ.).
7. Berestneva EV, Maklakova TG, Shukharev SO. Main approaches to assessing and improving the quality of life of university students. On-Line Scientific & Educational Bulletin “Health & Education Millennium”. 2017;19(11):4–10. (In Russ.).
8. Kilicheva TA, Sobirova ShI. Influence of students’ lifestyle and health culture on the learning process in a medical academy. Vestnik Nauki i Obrazovaniya. 2023;(5–1):65–71. (In Russ.).
9. Chevzhik YuV, Milushkina OYu. Adaptation of medical students to learning. Methodology and Technology of Continuous Professional Education. 2023;(4):5–18. (In Russ.). doi: 10.24075/MTCPE.2023.016
10. On approval of the Fundamentals of the State Youth Policy of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2025: Order of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 2403-r of 29 Nov 2014. Collection of Legislation of the Russian Federation. 2014;(49): 6927. (In Russ.).
11. Roulin N, Bangerter A. Students’ use of extracurricular activities for positional advantage in competitive job markets. Journal of Education and Work. 2013;26(1):21–47. doi: 10.1080/13639080.2011.623122
12. Kim J. The empirical study of extracurricular activity on socially responsible leadership. Journal of Leadership Education. 2022;21(1). doi: 10.12806/V21/I1/R6
13. Shcheglova IA, Dremova OV. Extracurricular activities as a factor of students’ academic success: informationbulletin. Moscow: National ResearchUniversity Higher School of Economics; 2022. (In Russ.). doi: 10.17323/978-5-7598-2671-2
14. Rao BV. The influence of extracurricular activities in the educational, academic outcomes. InternationalJournalofAppliedResearch. 2022;8(12):7–12. doi: 10.22271/allresearch.2022.v8.i12a.10355
15. Chapman G, Emambocus W, Obembe D. Higher-education student motivations for extracurricular activities: Evidence from UK universities. Journal of Education and Work. 2023;36(2):138–152. doi: 10.1080/13639080.2023.2167955
16. Zavalishin A.V. Extra-curricular activities as a factor of university graduate’s professional development. Каzan Pedagogical Journal. 2022;(5):86–93. (In Russ.).
17. Rethman CR, Perry J, Donaldson J, Choi D, Erukhimova T. Impact of informal physics programs on university student development: Creating a physicist. Physical Review Physics Education Research. 2021;17:020110. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.17.020110
18. Kabanova AA. Study of the participation of Russian university students in extracurricular activities of higher education institutions. Scientific Leader. 2025;(2):111–113. (In Russ.).
19. Abramova MO, Klevtsov DS, Shcheglova IA, Vilkova KA. What are the benefits of first year student extracurricular engagement: academic achievements, desire to complete a degree and psychological well-being. Educational Studies Moscow. 2024;(4):8–32. (In Russ.). doi: 10.17323/vo-2024-18049
20. Proshlyakov VD, Ponomareva GV, Kotova GV, Levina EA. On the health and physical activity of students of higher education institutions. Physical Education and Student Sport. 2023;2(2):188–193. (In Russ.). doi: 10.18500/2782-4594-2023-2-2-188-193
21. Kotova MB, Maksimov SA, Kurakin MS, Kostina NG, Drapkina OM. Level of students’ stress depending on their behavioral characteristics. Russian Journal ofPreventive Medicine. 2024;27(9):67–74. (InRuss.). doi: 10.17116/profmed20242709167
22. Khusainov AE, Zulkarnayev TR, Agafonov AI, Povargo EA, Mochalkin PA, Shamsutdinova AF. The level of anxiety among medical university students withphysical activity of different intensity. Public Health and Life Environment. 2022;30(4):39–43. (In Russ.). doi: 10.35627/2219-5238/2022-30-4-39-43
23. Kotlyarova VV, Olonets SB, Kasperovich YuN, Dyakonova NA. The role of student sports clubs in shaping the health culture of students. Society: Sociology, Psychology, Pedagogy. 2023;(8):106–113. (In Russ.). doi: 10.24158/spp.2023.8.14
24. Zaitsev AA, Olkhovskiy RM. Results of student sports development monitoring in the Russian Federation. Physical Education and University Sport. 2023;2(1):35–41. (In Russ.). doi: 10.18500/2782-4594-2023-2-1-35-41
25. Belonkova LYu., Zakharova NL, Kotovskaya SV. Physical education and sports health-improving activities of students in the system of university health-saving education. Theory and Practice of Physical Culture. 2025;1:47. (In Russ.).
26. Popov MV. Analysis of the health status of medical university students: a literature review. Current Problems of Health Care and Medical Statistics. 2025;(1):541–566. (In Russ.).
27. Fong Yan A, Nicholson LL, Ward RE, Hiller CE, Dovey K, Parker HM, Low LF, Moyle G, Chan C. The effectiveness of dance interventions on psychological and cognitive health outcomes compared with other forms of physical activity: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. 2024;54(5):1179–1205. doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01990-2
28. Nepovinnykh LA, Ivanov EA. Influence of participation in the folk ensemble TOIVE on the health and psycho-emotional state of PetrSU students. Mir pedagogiki i psikhologii. 2025;05(106). (In Russ.).
29. Sennik AO, Pushkareva IN. Physical development of students through motor activities involving dance elements. Problems of Modern Pedagogical Education. 2025;88–1:171–174. (In Russ.).
30. Duberg A, Hagberg L, Sunvisson H, Dencker K. Effects of a dance intervention on somatic symptoms and emotional distress in adolescent girls: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA Pediatrics. 2020;174(6):e195085. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.5085
31. Duberg A, Jutengren G, Hagberg L, Möller M. The effects of a dance intervention on somatic symptoms and emotional distress in adolescent girls: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of International Medical Research. 2020;48(2). doi:10.1177/0300060520902610
32. Karkou V, Aithal S, Zubala A, Meekums B. Effectiveness of dance movement therapy in the treatment of adults with depression: a systematic review with meta-analyses. Front. Psychol. 2019;10:936. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00936
33. Salihu D, Kwan RYC, Wong EML. The effect of dancing interventions on depression symptoms, anxiety, and stress in adults without musculoskeletal disorders: An integrative review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2021;45:101467. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101467.
34. Song L, Xiao R, Wang C, Li C, Liu Q, Zhang Y, Liu Z, Zhang L, Zhang M. Effect of group impromptu music therapy on improving test anxiety and emotional regulation ability in medical students. Front. Psychol.. 2024;15:1467830. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1467830
35. Zhang M, Ding Y, Zhang J, Jiang X, Xu N, Zhang L, Yu W. Effect of group impromptu music therapy on emotional regulation and depressive symptoms of college students: a randomized controlled study. Front. Psychol.. 2022;13:851526. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.851526
36. Kim BS, Kim H, Kim JY. Effects of a choral program combining wind instrument performance and breathing training on respiratory function, stress, and quality of life in adolescents: A randomized controlled trial. PLOS ONE. 2024;19(5):e0276568. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276568
37. Larina VN, Kudina EV, Mikava KR. Student scientific circle as a necessary component of higher medical education. Cardiovascular Therapy and Prevention. 2023;22(1S):3409. (In Russ.). doi: 10.15829/1728-8800-2023-3409
38. Li Y, Jin S, Li Y, Guo F, Luo T, Pan B, Lei M, Liu Y. The effects of research activities on biomedical students’ mental health: a national cross-sectional study. Fron. Psychiatry. 2022;13:796697. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.796697
39. Ilyenko LI, Fedulaev YuN, Orlova NV, Pinchuk TV, Spiryakina YaG. Student scientific club – an important component in the structure of higher medical education. Cardiovascular Therapy and Prevention. 2023;22(1S):3412. (In Russ.). doi: 10.15829/1728-8800-2023-3412
40. Popugailo MV, Grebnev DYu, Sorokina MD, Beloglazova OA, Maklakova IYu. Some features of the work of a student scientific club at the department of pathological physiology of a medical university. Alma mater (Vestnik Vysshei Shkoly). 2024;6:74–78. (In Russ.). doi: 10.20339/AM.06-24.074
41. Saenko VN, Yachmennikova AI. Volunteer activity as a factor of increasing the stress resistance of youth in higher educational institutions. Teleskop: Journal of Sociological and Marketing Research. 2022;1(5):156–162.(In Russ.).doi:10.24412/1994-3776-2022-1-156-162
42. Denisova OA, Denisov AP, Drobyshev VV. The position of medical students on volunteering: online survey results. Public Health and Life Environment. 2022;30(12):24–29. (In Russ.). doi: 10.35627/2219-5238/2022-30-12-24-29
43. Tyumaseva ZI, Orekhova IL, Artemenko BA. Tutor support for maintaining and strengthening students’ health. Moscow Pedagogical Journal. 2024;2:32–48. (In Russ.). doi: 10.18384/2949-4974-2024-2-32-48
Review
For citations:
Klimov A.D. Influence of extracurricular activities on student well-being. Pacific Medical Journal. 2026;(1):22-28. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.34215/1609-1175-2026-1-22-28
Views:
177
JATS XML
Email this article 