Physical Activity Analysis and Comparison of Female Students in Urban and Rural Secondary Schools in Slovakia

BackgroundLevels of physical activity and happiness may impact the health and performance of future doctors. The specific relationship between physical activity and happiness among first year medical students is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate these variables and how they relate within first year, graduate entry Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery students studying in Cyprus.MethodsSelf-administered questionnaires were provided for all first year medical students at the St. George’s University of London medical programme delivered by the University of Nicosia Medical School in Cyprus. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and happiness was assessed using the Short Depression Happiness Scale. Surveys were completed by 79 of the 120 students (median age of 24 years). Happiness and continuous measures of physical activity amounts were investigated using spearman’s rank-order correlation. Mann-Whitney U Tests were used to make further comparisons between the physical activity levels across happy and depressed groups and gender, as well as to compare the levels of happiness reported by each gender.ResultsHigh levels of physical activity were evident in 60.8% of students. Results suggested depression among 15.2% of students. A positive correlation was observed between happiness and amount of vigorous intensity physical activity among female students (p < 0.05), but not males. Happy females performed more vigorous physical activity than depressed females (p < 0.05). The total amount of physical activity performed, as well as level of happiness, did not significantly differ between genders.ConclusionsA relationship exists between physical activity and happiness among female first year medical students. The intensity of physical activity may play an important role within this group. There appears to be relatively high levels of physical activity and low levels of depression among male and female first year medical students studying in Cyprus. This study provides new knowledge regarding relationships between happiness and physical activity among first year medical students, and is also the first characterization of happiness and physical activity habits among students in Cyprus. This may help to inform future policies aimed at promoting health and wellness within student communities.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship among obesity, physical activity level, physical fitness and academic performance in female secondary school students in Shah Alam. Two hundred and fourteen participants (age: 16 years, body height: 156.76 ± 5.65 cm, body mass 59.92 ± 13.35 kg, BMI: 24.41 ± 5.00 kg/m 2 ) participated in this study. Students with body mass index above 25 kg/m 2 were classified as obese. Physical activity level was evaluated by using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), while physical fitness was evaluated by the total score of four fitness components (cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility) measured by SEGAK used in Malaysia secondary schools. Academic performance was assessed by the Average School Grade (ASG) from Form Three Assessment (PT3) results of the previous year. There is a negative significant relationship between obesity and physical activity level (r = -0.20, p < 0.05), obesity and physical fitness (r = -0.42, p < 0.05), obesity and academic performance (r = 0.49, p < 0.05), physical activity level and physical fitness (r = 0.54, p < 0.05), physical activity level and academic performance (r = -0.14, p < 0.05) and physical fitness and academic performance (r = -0.26, p < 0.05). These results suggested that obesity status, physical activity level and physical fitness not only could affect health status but also academic performance in secondary school students.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours could explain observed differences in the prevalence of childhood obesity in a sample of Greek children. Epidemiological study. PA and sedentary behaviours were assessed by a self-administrated PA checklist. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured weight and height. A representative sample of Greek children aged 10-12 years attending fifth and sixth grade (n = 3195), living in rural and urban areas, were enrolled. Maturation status was not evaluated due to technical reasons. Prevalence of obesity was higher among children living in rural areas as compared with urban areas (12.1% vs. 10.7%, P < 0.01). Surprisingly, children living in rural areas had higher levels of self-reported PA (P < 0.001) and met current PA guidelines to a greater extent than their urban counterparts (P < 0.05). Furthermore, boys had higher levels of total, low-to-moderate intensity and vigorous intensity physical activity, as well as sedentary behaviours, than girls (all P-values <0.05). Stratified analysis by BMI category revealed that normal weight boys and girls had higher levels of total PA and vigorous intensity physical activity compared with overweight and obese boys from the same type of setting (all P-values <0.05). Children living in rural areas have higher levels of PA and more frequently met PA guidelines than their urban counterparts, despite a higher prevalence of obesity.

Child Obesity Can Be Reduced With Vigorous Activity Rather Than Restriction of Energy Intake

The education system given emphasis towards study habit of students but it is also important to take care of students eating habit. The healthy eating habit help student to lead healthy in life style as well as a standard academic life also. Our present young generation attracted towards junk food which is easily available in the market. Everybody knows that junk food is not good for health and even adults also consuming junk food, they buy junk food for their children. The present study focus on secondary school students who consume junk food. The study reveals that there is no significant difference was observed male and female secondary school students with respect to junk food consumption scores (t = -0.2814 &gt;0.05) . Hence, the hypothesis is accepted. It means that, no difference found with regard to Junk food consumption scores among male and female students of secondary school students and significant difference was observed between government and private school students with respect to Junk food consumption scores (t= -2.7553, p&lt;0.05) at 5% level of significance. Hence, the hypothesis is rejected. The alternative hypothesis is accepted. It means that, junk food consumption scores are significantly higher among private schools as compare to government secondary schools. A significant difference was observed between rural and urban secondary school students with respect Junk food consumption scores (t= -3.4864, p&lt;0.05) at 5% level of significance. Hence, the hypothesis is rejected. It means that, Junk food consumption scores are significantly higher urban schools as compare to rural secondary school students. A significant difference was observed between joint family and nuclear family member of secondary school students with respect Junk food consumption scores (t = -4.2955, p&lt;0.05) at 5% level of significance. Hence, the hypothesis is rejected. It means that, Junk food consumption scores are significantly higher nuclear family member as compare to joint family member among secondary schools. It is suggested that parents and teacher should sparkle awareness about negative effect of junk food on health among secondary school students.

The researcher has tried to know and acknowledge the vocational interests of secondary school students of Dakshin Dinajpur District in West Bengal. The objectives of this study are; 1. To study the relationship between vocational interest and social economic status of Secondary school students; 2. To compare the vocational interest of male and female secondary school students; 3.To compare the socio economic status among male and female secondary school students; 4. To compare the vocational interest of rural and urban secondary school students; 5.To compare the vocational interest of General and SC/ST/OBC Secondary school students. This study investigated the vocational interest across gender and socio-economic status among a random sample of 300 secondary school students. The researcher used; the Vocational Interest Record developed by Dr. S.P. Kulshrestha, (2017) to measure the Vocational Interest and the socio-economic status scale developed by Prof. Ashok k. Kalla&amp; Mr. Sudhir Sahu (2012) to measure the socio economic status. The data were analyzed with the help of Mean, S.D. and t-test to study the vocational interest of secondary school students of Dakshin Dinajpur District in relation socio-economic status. The study revealed that there is a significant difference between the Vocational Interests of urban and rural students and Gender variations are not evident in Vocational Interests among secondary school students. Vocational Interests and socioeconomic status are negatively correlated. The findings from this study have implications for the teachers or educators to acquire knowledge of the Vocational interests of urban and rural students. It also exaggerates the necessity of educational and vocational guidance and counselling at the stage of secondary school.

The university period generally involves dropping out of sporting activities and higher levels of stress. However, studies addressing the consequences of these changes in the self-esteem of university students are very scarce. To determine the relationship between physical activity (PA), sedentary lifestyle and self-esteem levels in university students, and to analyse the differences according to gender. Cross-sectional online survey of 314 spanish university students. Global self-esteem was assessed with the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. PA was measured using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) model was used to evaluate differences between total self-esteem values by PA categories (low-moderate-high). Pearson's correlation was used to analyse the association of global self-esteem with the level of total PA and with a sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and self-esteem scores were higher in men than in women. High levels of PA were positively correlated to self-esteem in the total sample; and sedentary behaviour was inversely correlated to self-esteem in the total sample and women. The differences between men and women in self-esteem were not significant in participants that engaged in vigorous PA. Engaging in PA was related to better self-esteem. A sedentary lifestyle had a greater impact on women's self-esteem. When women engage in vigorous physical activity, their self-esteem equals that of men. These findings could serve as a basis for developing strategies to promote mental health through physical activity. Our findings could help Mental Health Nurses, Community Health Nurses and university policymakers take steps to promote physical activity, with a gender perspective, within university curriculum enhancement strategies, with the goal of improving self-esteem and mental health in young people during a critical period of transition to adulthood. What problem did the study address? This study addressed the relationship between the self-esteem of university students and their physical activity levels, emphasising the role of sedentary behaviour and gender differences. What were the main findings? The practice of PA was associated with higher self-esteem. The differences in self-esteem between men and women were not significant among those who participated in vigorous physical activity. Additionally, a sedentary lifestyle had a greater negative impact on women's self-esteem. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? The implementation of physical activity programs in the university setting is a key factor in improving students' self-esteem. These programs should be designed from a gender perspective to better address students' specific needs. Additionally, nurses, particularly those working in mental health and community health, play a critical role in promoting physical activity as a preventive and therapeutic strategy for mental health issues. Integrating physical activity recommendations into routine health assessments and university-based interventions could facilitate the early identification of students at risk of low self-esteem and associated mental health challenges. From a nursing perspective, structured exercise programmes, active breaks during classes and active learning methodologies that incorporate physical movement with academic content could contribute to creating a healthier university environment and improving students' psychological well-being. This study adhered to the reporting guidelines for observational studies according to the STROBE (Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) statement. No patient or public contribution.

IntroductionWhile physical activity is widely recognized as a key factor in physical and mental health, the impact of subjective and objective built environment characteristics on well-being across different population groups remains understudied. This gap is particularly evident among specific ethnic groups and genders, as most such studies focus on populations from Western and high-income countries. The primary objective of this paper is to assess the associations between various built environment characteristics, including both objective and subjective features, with the levels of physical activity and the well-being of young women in the Balkans.MethodsTo achieve this, a questionnaire survey was designed and implemented in five cities in the Balkans: Niš (Serbia), Plovdiv (Bulgaria), Athens (Greece), Bucharest (Romania), and Štip (North Macedonia), targeting the sub-population of young women. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) modelling was employed to identify the subjective and objective built environment characteristics that affect engagement in moderate and vigorous physical activity and well-being.ResultsFindings of this paper show that a high level of street connectivity is associated with a higher level of moderate and vigorous physical activity. Additionally, there is a significant association between exciting green spaces in the neighborhood, proximity to shops, mixed land-use neighborhoods, cycling infrastructure, and higher levels of physical activity and well-being.DiscussionThese results suggest that inclusive urban planning strategies could play a key role in improving public health outcomes for this underrepresented demographic.

Objectives: The mechanisms by which overweight and physical inactivity lead to hypertension are complex. Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, has been linked with hypertension. We studied the relationship between leptin, physical activity, and new-onset hypertension. Methods: A prospective study design based on data from the 3. and 4. Copenhagen City Heart Study (CCHS). From the 3. CCHS, which was performed in 1991 to 1994, we identified 1111 subjects (744 women and 367) who were normotensive. Based on questionnaire items, the participants were divided into two groups with low (n = 674) and high (n = 437) level of leisure time physical activity, respectively. Between the 3. and the 4. CCHS examination, which was performed in 2001 to 2003, 304 had developed hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive medication. Results: In a logistic regression model, including age, sex, body mass index, SBP, DBP, level of physical activity, and leptin, we found a significant interaction between leptin and level of physical activity with new-onset hypertension as outcome variable (P = 0.012). When we entered the interaction variables: effect of leptin with low level of physical activity and with high level of physical activity, respectively, in the original model, leptin only predicted new-onset hypertension in participants with low level of physical activity (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.16 (1.01–1.33) for one unit increase in log-transformed leptin levels, P = 0.038), but not in participants with high level of physical activity (0.88 (0.74–1.05), P = 0.15). If we included other risk factors of hypertension and possible mediators of overweight-related hypertension, such as the triglyceride to HDL cholesterol concentration ratio, fibrinogen, glucose, diagnosis of diabetes, adiponectin, and heart rate, in the model, leptin still predicted new-onset hypertension in participants with a low level of leisure time physical activity (P = 0.040). Conclusion: This study is the first prospective study to report that the hypertensive effect of leptin is modified by leisure time physical activity.

More than 65% of US adults are overweight or obese. The relations between physical activity (PA) and weight loss and weight maintenance have been documented, but little information is available about population estimates of obesity prevalence by level of PA. PURPOSE Describe the prevalence of obesity by PA level for a representative sample of US adults, and examine differences by sex, race, education, and age. METHODS 9,449 adults (4,216 men 5,233 women) responded to the National PA and Weight Loss Survey, a random digit dial survey of US households conducted Sept to Dec 2002. As part of a larger survey, respondents reported their age, race/ethnicity, education, height, and weight. Body mass index was calculated as wt (kg)/ht (m)2 and categorized as healthy weight (< 25.0), overweight (25.0–29.9), or obese (≥ 30.0). Respondents reported days/wk and min/day of non-occupational moderate and vigorous PA. PA was categorized as meeting public health recommendations (≥ 5 days ≥ 30 min moderate intensity PA or ≥ 3 days ≥ 20 min vigorous intensity PA), insufficiently active (not enough PA to meet recommendations), or inactive (no reported PA). Prevalence estimates were calculated for BMI category by PA level. Prevalences of obesity by PA level were stratified by sex, race/ethnicity, education, and age. RESULTS The age-adjusted prevalence of healthy weight was directly associated with PA level (46% meet PA recommendations, 41% insufficiently active, 38% inactive). The prevalence of obesity was inversely associated with PA level (17% meet PA recommendations, 23% insufficiently active, 27% inactive). Among adults who met PA recommendations, there was little difference in obesity prevalence between adults engaging in > 2,010 MET-min/wk of PA (16%, 95% CI = 15,18) and adults engaging in ≤2,010 MET-min/wk of PA (17%, 95% CI = 16,19). Inactive women had higher obesity prevalence than inactive men. Non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics had higher obesity prevalence than non-Hispanic whites for all PA levels. Persons with at least some college had lower obesity prevalence than those with high school education or less for all PA levels. Obesity prevalence was higher with older age up to the highest age group (65+ years) for all PA levels. Obesity prevalence was higher with lower PA for all demographic groups. CONCLUSION Obesity prevalence is inversely associated with PA level, and follows a dose response pattern that plateaus at high levels of PA. Demographic differences in obesity prevalence were observed, but the relationship between obesity and PA was consistent within sex, race/ethnicity, education, and age groups. Supported by CDC Cooperative Agreement, SIP 20–01, U48/CCU409664.

Introduction. A significant number of migrant children in Russian schools from cities and rural settlements of Central Asian countries makes it relevant to study the possibilities of supporting their academic motivation, taking into account national and cultural characteristics. The aim of the study is to identify the features of academic motivation of adolescent students in rural and urban schools of the Fergana region. Materials and methods. The study involved 576 teenagers from urban and rural schools of the Fergana region. Methods: "Questionnaire of academic self-regulation of primary and middle school students SRQ-A", "Children's questionnaire of the optimistic style of explaining successes and failures", "Multidimensional scale of satisfaction with life of schoolchildren", "Scale of depression, anxiety and stress". Mathematical and statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out using the Kolmagorov-Smirnov K-S criterion, cluster analysis of the k-means method, the Kruskal-Wallis H-criterion and the Mann-Whitney U-criterion. Results of the study. Students of urban schools have higher rates on the scales of "cognitive motivation", "motivation for self-development", "identified motivation" and "introjected motivation". Using cluster analysis, motivational profiles of students in urban and rural schools were obtained. Motivational profiles of students in urban schools: a) with predominant external motivation; b) with predominant internal motivation, c) students whose learning activities are influenced by both external and internal factors. Motivational profiles of students in rural schools: a) with a high level of both internal and external motivation; b) with an average level of internal and external motivation; c) having a low level of internal and external motivation. A comparative analysis of the identified motivational profiles using the H Kruskal Wallis and U Mann-Whitney criteria made it possible to identify the characteristics of life satisfaction, an optimistic style of explaining the reasons for successes and failures, as well as the level of depression, anxiety and stress among adolescent students in rural and urban schools in the Fergana region. KEYWORDS Discussion and conclusion. The level structure of the learning motivation of rural schoolchildren can be explained by the appearance in their motivation profile of the "Alienated" group - teenagers with a low level of external and internal motivation, when the educational environment does not serve as an environment for satisfying their current needs and is not controlled by the people around them due to the fact that they do not see the importance of the child's education. A group of urban and rural teenagers “Value-oriented towards education” was identified - with a high level of external and internal motivation, whose values of obtaining education are supported by the adults around them.

Intense exercise in elite athletes is associated with increased left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) mass and volumes. However, the effect of physical activity on the RV in an older community-based population is unknown. We studied the association between levels of physical activity in adults and RV mass and volumes. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) performed cardiac magnetic resonance imaging on community-based participants without clinical cardiovascular disease. RV volumes were determined from manually contoured endocardial margins. RV mass was determined from the difference between epicardial and endocardial volumes multiplied by the specific gravity of myocardium. Metabolic equivalent-minutes/day were calculated from the self-reported frequency, duration, and intensity of physical activity. The study sample (n = 1,867) was aged 61.8 ± 10 years, 48% male, 44% white, 27% African American, 20% Hispanic, and 9% Chinese. Higher levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity were linearly associated with higher RV mass (P = 0.02) after adjusting for demographics, anthropometrics, smoking, cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and LV mass. Higher levels of intentional exercise (physical activity done for the sole purpose of conditioning or fitness) were nonlinearly associated with RV mass independent of LV mass (P = 0.03). There were similar associations between higher levels of physical activity and larger RV volumes. Higher levels of physical activity in adults were associated with greater RV mass independent of the associations with LV mass; similar results were found for RV volumes. Exercise-associated RV remodeling may have important clinical implications.

Our aim was to test the hypothesis that a high level of physical activity during leisure time increases the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality among men with high physical work demands. We carried out a 30-year follow-up of the Copenhagen Male Study of 5249 caucasian, male workers aged 40-59 years; 274 men with overt cardiovascular disease were excluded from the follow-up. During the follow-up period, 591 men (11.9%) died from IHD. Cox analyses of men with low (N=1236), medium (N=2651), and high (N=858) physical work demands showed that those with high demands had a higher risk of IHD mortality compared to men with low demands [age-adjusted hazard ratio 1.51, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.18-1.94]. In all three groups, men with a low level of physical activity during leisure time had a higher risk of IHD than men with a medium or high level. Overall, the age-adjusted hazard ratio for IHD mortality associated with a high level of leisure time physical activity was 0.49 (95% CI 0.34-0.70). Among workers with high physical work demands, the hazard ratio for IHD mortality (adjusted for confounders) was 0.82 (95% CI 0.42-1.56) for a high level of leisure time physical activity and 0.62 (95% CI 0.40-0.97) for a moderate level. We did not find support for the hypothesis that a high level of physical activity during leisure time increases the risk of IHD mortality among men with high physical work demands and with no pre-existing clinical cardiovascular disease. In contrast, moderate and high levels of activity during leisure time seemed to be protective against IHD mortality among people with medium and high physical activity at work.

Introduction: Nocturnal blood pressure (BP) dipping determined from 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Physical activity lowers the risk of CVD related, in part, to preserved endothelial function and lower aortic stiffness, however the relation between physical activity and nocturnal dipping remains unclear. The objective of our cross-sectional retrospective analysis was to assess the relation between physical activity and nocturnal BP dipping, and whether this relation was confounded by measures of vascular function. We hypothesized that higher levels of physical activity would be associated with greater nocturnal BP dipping. Methods: Healthy adults (n=172, age 19 to 65 years, 55% female) had 24-hour ABPM measured. BP recordings were taken every 30 min during the daytime and every 60 min during the nighttime. Nocturnal “dippers” had a 10-20% difference between their mean daytime and nighttime systolic BP and “non-dippers/inverse dippers” had &lt;10% difference. The modifiable activity questionnaire was used to assess physical activity levels via self-reported days/week with greater than 30 min of moderate activity (3.0-6.0 METs) and vigorous activity (&gt;6.0 METs). Endothelial function (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, FMD), and aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, cfPWV) were also assessed. Results: Nocturnal BP dippers performed more days/week of moderate and vigorous physical activity compared to non-dippers (P=0.007 and P=0.008, respectively). Both moderate (B=0.386, P=0.042) and vigorous physical activity (B=0.604, P=0.002) were associated with nocturnal BP dipping in univariate linear regression analyses. However, only vigorous activity (B=0.926, P=0.001) remained associated with nocturnal BP dipping after adjustment for age, BMI, 24-hr systolic BP and diastolic BP, brachial FMD and cfPWV. Conclusion: Vigorous physical activity may attenuate CVD risk in part from enhanced nocturnal BP dipping. Future studies should investigate additional mechanisms by which vigorous physical activity may enhance nocturnal BP dipping. This study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (AG063790; HL014388, HL07121; AG043722). Dr. Pierce is supported by the Russell B. Day and Florence D. Day Endowed Chair in Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Previous studies found that regular physical activity (PA) can lower the risk of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection and post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), yet its specific effects in young women have not yet been investigated. Thus, we aimed to examine whether regular physical activity reduces the number of symptoms during and after COVID-19 infection among young women aged between 18 and 34 (N = 802), in which the confounding effect of other morbidities could be excluded. The average time since infection was 23.5 months. Participants were classified into low, moderate, and high PA categories based on the reported minutes per week of moderate and vigorous PA. Using the Post-COVID-19 Case Report Form, 50 different symptoms were assessed. Although regular PA did not decrease the prevalence of COVID-19 infection and PCC but significantly reduced the number of mental and neurological symptoms both in acute COVID-19 and PCC. Importantly, the high level of PA had a greater impact on health improvements. In addition, the rate of reinfection decreased with an increased level of PA. In conclusion, a higher level of regular PA can reduce the risk of reinfection and the number of mental and neurological symptoms in PCC underlying the importance of regular PA, even in this and likely other viral disease conditions.