Physical activity of soldiers in the Polish Armed Force’s military administration units and special units

Abstract

Summary Study aim: To determine physical activity levels of soldiers in military administration units and special units. Material and methods: The research included 58 military administration soldiers (male) and 45 special unit soldiers. The average age of the military administration soldiers was 45.2 ± 5.54 years, whereas in the case of special unit soldiers it was 31.4 ± 4.40 years. The research tool employed was the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), long version, last 7 days. Results: According to the adopted criteria, all special unit soldiers and 41.4% of the military administration soldiers were assigned a high level of physical activity (p<0.001). Of the researched soldiers in the military administrative units, 29.3% were assigned to the adequate level and 29.3% were assigned to the inadequate level. One in two soldiers from military administration units does not participate in mandatory physical education classes nor do they compensate for the shortage of physical activity in their leisure time. Conclusions: Definite steps should be taken regarding broadly based promotion of health and physical activity among Polish Armed Forces soldiers.