Influence of leisure-time physical activity on quality of life of Ukrainian students

Abstract

The understanding of mechanisms that are need for formation of high quality of life and the role of healthy life style in person’s well being are necessary for the creation of effective prevention programs. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of leisure time physical activity on the quality of life of healthy persons. Sample consists of 514 young people (46.7 % female, age – 19.8 ± 1.5 years). Participants were the students in Lviv State University of Physical Culture, Lviv National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv State University of Life Safety. Surveys (SF 36, IPAQ) were used for data collection. The duration of vigorous intensity physical activity in leisure time was 0.6 ± 0.4 hour /week for female students, 1.2 ± 0.7 hour/ week for male students; the duration of moderate intensity physical activity was 4.3 ± 1.0 and 3.1 ± 0.9 hour/ week for females and males respectively. It was shown the positive effect of leisure time physical activity on the physical and mental component of the quality of life of young adults. Females with higher level of leisure time physical activity had higher quality of life (p < 0.01) according Physical Role Scale, General Health Scale, Social Activity Scale and Role Emotional Scale. The statistically significant differences (p < 0.01; Physical Functioning Scale, Vitality Scale, and Mental Health Scale) were observed for males with minimal and maximal duration of physical activity.