Influence of sport and health education on students’ quality of life in Ukraine

Abstract

Students’ physical fitness and body functional state are highly correlated with the quality of life and working capacity. The research was completed at Uzhgorod National University during 2008–2010 academic years. The health status of 4 800 male and female students of first, second and third year were examined. The participants were students from the Physical Education and Sport Department, Engineering and Technical Department, and History Department. The mean age of all the respondents was 18 years old. Data were collected using surveys (SF-36, self-assessment of health status by V. Voitenko), anthropometry, physiological testing (blood pressure, heart rate, vital capacity of lungs, hand grip, etc). Functional state was determined with the help of Martine test, Ruf'ye test and orthostatic test, the level of physical fitness was evaluated with the help of National tests and standards of physical fitness of Ukrainian people. The level of physical fitness and body functional state positively correlate with the rate of physical activity, frequency of attendance of exercises. The students from Physical Education and Sport Department had the highest level of physical fitness and functional state, the higher resistance to stress and depression, which can be caused by significant mental activity, they were less likely to consult a physician due to illness, compared to the students from other departments. The high quality of life of students is associated with optimal physical and emotional health, good health, absence of depression, the possibility to take part in various social activities, high adaptive capability, working capacity; lack of disease, specified ratio of body weight and growth. Physical activity is the factor that directly affects all counted quality of life components.