Probl Hig Epidemiol 2018, 99(4): 364-373pl

Physical activity and pro-health behaviours of students

Ewa Jankowska ^1/, Elżbieta Krajewska-Kułak ^2/, Joanna Fiłon ^2/

1/ Absolwent Kierunku Fizjoterapia Wydziału Nauk o Zdrowiu, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Białymstoku
2/ Zakład Zintegrowanej Opieki Medycznej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Białymstoku

Summary
Introduction. Physical activity has an enormous impact on the human body, affecting each of its systems.
Aim. An assessment of the physical activity and pro-health behaviours of physiotherapy students from the Medical University of Bialystok (MUB) and law students from the University of Bialystok (UoB)
Materials & methods. The research was carried out on two groups of 100 students each from MUB and UoB, using a specially developed diagnostic survey questionnaire, the Physical Activity Goals and Inventory of Pro-health Behaviours Questionnaire.
Results. 73% of MUB students and 49% of UoB considered themselves physically active, with 38% of MUB and 28% of UoB respondents claiming to usually exercise three times a week. About 96% of MUB students and 85% of UoB students knew that inactivity could lead to medical problems. 81% of students from MUB and 65% from UoB took care of their health. There were significant differences between the two student groups in terms of healthy eating habits. A significant correlation was found between field of study and participation in fitness classes, gymnastics and Nordic walking. MUB students had a higher average score for the amount of time regularly spent on physical activity.
Conclusions. Physiotherapy students obtained better results for pro-health behaviours and were more physically active compared to law students. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in favour of physiotherapy students with regard to proper eating habits. There were no statistically significant differences between physiotherapy and law students in terms of their goals in practicing physical activity, their motivational value, the organization of their time, perseverance in action and motivational conflict.

Key words:  physical activity, pro-health behaviours, physiotherapy students, law students