SEX DIFFERENCES IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG COLLEGE SENIORS

Abstract

549 Considerable research has demonstrated inverse relationships between negative psychological states, such as depression and anxiety, and physical activity. In addition, some research has indicated that higher levels of physical activity are generally associated with a higher overall quality of life. Yet differences in this relationship between genders, various modes of physical activity, and various dimensions of quality of life are less clear. As part of a larger controlled trial (Project GRAD) baseline data were used to calculate correlation coefficients between quality of life and physical activity, separately for men (N=256) and women (N=320). Quality of Life was assessed using the Quality of Life Survey (Woodruff & Conway, 1990). Minutes spent in moderate, vigorous and strength activities were measured using the 7-day Physical Activity Recall (PAR). For men, a positive relationship was found between overall quality of life and minutes spent in both strength (r=.15, p<.01) and vigorous activities (r=.17, p<.005). Men who reported significantly more satisfaction on the self subscale of the quality of life measure also reported engaging in more minutes of both vigorous (r=.22, p<.001) and strength activity (r=.21, p<.001), but no relationships were evident between any of the activity variables and the personal life, whole-life, or work/school subscales of the quality of life measure. Women who reported more minutes of moderate activity reported higher overall quality of life (r=.12, p<.05) and higher satisfaction on the personal life subscale (r=.14, p<.01). Women who reported more minutes spent in vigorous activity reported higher satisfaction of the“self” subscale (r=.14, p<.01). No other significant relationships were found for women. Quality of life was related to vigorous and strength activity in men, but primarily to moderate activity in women. Findings suggest different modes of physical activity are related to different aspects of quality of life for women and men.