Tělesná Kultura (Jan 2012)

The influence of educational attainment and age on the amount and type of physical activity of inhabitants in Pilsen region

  • Jana Vašíčková,
  • Petr Valach,
  • Jaromír Votík,
  • František Chmelík

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5507/tk.2012.003
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 35, no. 1
pp. 40 – 54

Abstract

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BACKGROUND: Frequent participation in physical activity (PA) of any kind is an important part of the behavior of each individual and leads to maintaining health and preventing diseases of civilization. We assume that people with higher levels of education perform more PA than people with primary and secondary education. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the amount and type of PA of the inhabitants of the Pilsen region from the aspect of their gender, education level, and age. The next goal was to estimate the percentage of male and female participants meeting the recommended amounts of PA (taking into consideration their age and education level). METHODS: For analysis we used the IPAQ questionnaires (long version), which were distributed in the years 2005-2009 to randomly selected families in the spring and autumn months. In total 1125 correctly completed questionnaires were processed using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test (513 men and 612 women aged 25-58 years). RESULTS: The total physical activity of men increased with their age and decreased with the level of attained education. In women, the relationship between the total PA, age, and education was not observed. Recommendations for PA are fulfilled more likely by younger men (46.6% meet recommendations for vigorous PA, 60.9% meet the recommendations for walking) who attained primary education (48.5% meet recommendations for moderate PA, 61.3% meet recommendations for walking) and by women who attained university education (48.5% meet recommendations for moderate PA, 68.5% meet the recommendations for walking). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the analysis of the questionnaires suggest that in men from the Pilsen region there is a relationship between the total weekly physical activity level, age and education level, while in women a clear relationship between the PA, age and attained education level was not documented.

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