Physical Activity and Selected Health Behaviors of Tourism and Recreation Students

Abstract

Physical activity is crucial for the health and harmonious psychophysical development of students, in terms of their healthy habits and attitudes later in life. During this period, it also serves as a natural continuation of physical education classes undertaken at lower levels of education. Students, as the future intelligentsia group, should serve as role models for other social groups. The aim was to develop knowledge about physical activity and other health behaviors among university students. The study included a group of 32 students of Tourism and Recreation. The participants were aged 22-24. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), accepted in 12 countries (Sjöstrom et al. 2000), considered the world's most advanced questionnaire assessing the level of physical activity among the population in various countries, taking into account different social groups, was used as the methodology. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (HBUSQ) was used (Litwiniuk, Grants 2010). It was found that half of the surveyed students had a low level of physical activity in their free time, spending it passively in front of a computer. 30% declared an average level of physical activity, while only 20% reported a high level. It was observed that the lifestyle of the surveyed students, for a significant proportion of respondents, was more health-promoting than unhealthy. Although TiR students are physically active and adhere to healthy lifestyle principles, they also engage in health-risk behaviors, not least those involving irregular meal times. During studies, both practical and theoretical classes should pay more attention to the future consequences of unhealthy behaviors.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Health, Longevity, Preventive Medicine

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007823