Abstract
The aim of this article was to determine the prevalence of the Republic of Croatia preschool teachers’ physical activity level and its correlation to chronological age, years of service, degree of education, and place of work. The research was conducted on a sample of 159 preschool teachers from different parts of the Republic of Croatia. The Croatian version of the standardised version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used. The basic descriptive parameters were calculated, while the correlation between certain variables was determined by the Spearman correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. Results have shown that almost 80% of preschool teachers do not meet the criteria for the recommended levels of physical activity. They are most physically active at work but are the least active during transportation and leisure time. A statistically significant correlation was determined between physical activity and age, years of service, and place of work. Younger preschool teachers are significantly more physically active in their leisure time than older ones, as are those with fewer years of service. Preschool teachers who work in a bigger city are more physically active at work, whereas those from smaller cities are more active doing their household chores. Furthermore, the independent variables (Age, Years of service, Place of work, Degree of education) in combination significantly affect the level of physical activity of preschool teachers in their leisure time and the overall level of physical activity. Preschool teachers should be models for children, and if they are not physically active themselves, they will not be sufficiently motivated to stimulate the same in children, i.e., the habit of leading an active and healthy life from an early age.
Highlights
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralInsufficient physical activity is becoming a significant risk factor for developing the most common diseases of modern times and is in fourth place for mortality risks in the world [1]
On the other hand, when all the independent variables are analysed in combination, including the degree of education, there is a significant relationship between the level of physical activity in the leisure time domain, as well as overall
It was shown that almost 80% of preschool teachers do not fulfil the recommended level of physical activity, i.e., they are physically inactive
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralInsufficient physical activity is becoming a significant risk factor for developing the most common diseases of modern times and is in fourth place for mortality risks in the world [1]. The recommendations given by competent institutions for adults state that to achieve health benefits, they should be involved in moderate-intensity physical activities for at least 150 min a week [2]. Research on this topic in the last few years has been regularly conducted to detect risk factors that could help create strategies intended to increase physical activity, especially in segments where it is the lowest [3]. The research analysis indicates areas that need interventions and motivation to acquire healthy everyday life habits to improve health and diminish the death rate caused by chronic non-infectious diseases [4]. Children who are with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
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