Getting physical with medical education: Exercise based virtual anatomy review classes for medical students

Table 1 Examples of exercises performed and relevant anatomy cues

Class format	Exercise	Anatomy cues
Bodyweight resistance exercise	Reverse lunge	Muscle: This exercise should be felt in the quadriceps, but what other muscle groups are being activated?
			Also working gluteal region, the hamstring group, and the medial compartment of thigh
		What are the three muscles that form the ‘glutes’?
			Gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus
			Innervation: What are they innervated by?
			Gluteus maximus: Inferior gluteal nerve
			Gluteus medius and minimus: Superior gluteal nerve
		Clinical correlate: What can result if gluteus medius and minimus lose their innervation?
			Trendelenburg gait/sign
Bodyweight resistance exercise	Push ups	Muscle: What muscles are being used when performing this exercise?
			Pectoralis and triceps muscle group
		Origin/ Insertion: Where do these muscles originate from and where do they insert?
			Pectoralis: Originates from the midline (sternum and clavicle) to attach at the humerus (pec. major) and coracoid process of scapula (pec. minor)
			Triceps: Originate on humerus and cross elbow joint to insert on olecranon process of ulna
				Exception: long head of triceps which originates from the infraglenoid tubercle of scapula and is the only one to cross the shoulder joint
		Innervation: What are they innervated by?
			Medial and lateral pectoral nerve (pectoralis)
			Radial nerve (triceps)
Yoga	Warrior two	Muscle: What muscles are holding the arms up in abduction?
			Deltoid and supraspinatus (first 15 degrees of abduction)
			Innervation: What nerves are they innervated by and what are the nerve roots:
			Deltoid: Axillary nerve
			Supraspinatus: Suprascapular nerve
			Roots: C5 and C6
		Clinical correlate: What would be the result of a C5, C6 nerve root lesion?
			Waiter's tip position: Adduction, medial rotation, extension and pronation of arm

Table 2 Summary of survey responses presented as number of responses and percent of total responses, n (%)

Survey item	Participant response (n = 30)
Activity level	Meets Canadian guidelines	Does not meet Canadian guidelines
	8 (26.7)	22 (73.3)
Change in activity level during exams	Decreases	Stays the same	Increases
	24 (80.0)	3 (10.0)	3 (10.0)
Confidence in incorporating exercise counselling in your future practice	Not confident at all/Not very confident	Somewhat confident	Extremely confident/Very confident
	7 (23.3)	18 (60.0)	5 (16.7)
Feedback on class participation and understanding of MSK concepts
	Disagree	Neutral	Agree
Participating improved my understanding of MSK course concepts	0 (0.0)	3 (10.0)	27 (90.0)
Classes helped me feel prepared for my MSK assessments	0 (0.0)	3 (10.0)	27 (90.0)
I feel more confident integrating MSK concepts in my future practice and daily physical activity	2 (6.7)	3 (10.0)	25 (83.3)
Feedback on class participation and change in physical activity behaviours
	Disagree	Neutral	Agree
Attending class helped increase my activity level during exam period	1 (3.3)	0 (0.0)	29 (96.7)
Attending class helped increase my motivation to be physically active	1 (3.3)	3 (10.0)	26 (86.7)
I am more likely to try different exercise modalities after attending class	3 (10.0)	8 (26.7)	19 (63.3)
Feedback on class participation and stress related to exams and pandemic response
	Disagree	Neutral	Agree
Attending classes helped reduce stress during exam period	1 (3.3)	8 (26.7)	21 (70.0)
Attending classes helped with feeling connected to my classmates	0 (0.0)	3 (10.0)	27 (90.0)
Overall I enjoyed attending class	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	30 (100.0)
I would consider attending similar classes in the future	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	30 (100.0)

MSK: Musculoskeletal.