Danijel Jurakić

Physical activity in different domains and health-related quality of life: a population-based study

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the association between physical activity (PA) in different domains (job-related, domestic, transportation, and leisure-time) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).MethodsWe used the long version of IPAQ and SF-36 to assess PA and HRQoL, respectively, in a random sample of 1,076 Croatian inhabitants.ResultsMultiple regression analyses showed a significant relationship between PA and Vitality, Mental Health, and mental summary component score in female participants and Physical Functioning, Bodily Pain, Social Functioning, Mental Health, and physical summary component score in male participants (multiple R range, 0.14–0.21). Leisure-time PA was positively related to HRQoL (β range, 0.11–0.18), whereas transportation (β range, −0.10 to −0.14) and domestic (β range, −0.10 to −0.12) PA was inversely related to HRQoL when adjusted for size of settlement, age, educational level, cigarette consumption, alcohol consumption, and body mass index.ConclusionsOur study added useful information to the body of evidence on the positive correlation between leisure-time PA and HRQoL. Since transportation and domestic PA were inversely related with several HRQoL scales, in future studies on the relationship between PA and HRQoL it is important to assess domain-specific PA and not only total PA.

Domain-specific physical activity and health-related quality of life in university students

Abstract Information on the relationship between domain-specific physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the general population and specific groups is still scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between PA in work, transport, domestic and leisure-time domains and HRQoL among university students. PA and HRQoL were assessed in a random stratified sample of 1750 university students using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – long form and 12-item Short Form Health Survey, respectively. The Spearmans rank correlations, adjusted for age, community size, personal monthly budget, body mass index, smoking habits and alcohol intake ranged from −0.11 to 0.18 in female students and −0.29 to 0.19 in male students. Leisure-time, domestic, transport-related PA and total PA were positively related to HRQoL. Inverse correlations with HRQoL were only found for work-related PA in male students. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that only leisure-time PA was related to the Physical Summary Component score (β = 0.08 for females and β = 0.10 for males, P < 0.05). Domain-specific PA levels were not significantly related to the Mental Component Summary score. To get a more comprehensive insight in the relationship between PA and HRQoL, future studies should not only analyse total PA levels but also domain-specific PA levels. The evidence on the positive relationship of leisure-time, transport and domestic PA with HRQoL can potentially be used to support evidence-based promotion of PA in a university setting, and as a hypothesis for future longitudinal studies on such potential causal relationships.

Relationship of Back and Neck Pain With Quality of Life in the Croatian General Population

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of back pain and neck pain and their relationship with the quality of life in the Croatian general population. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study using home-based face-to-face interviews of 1030 participants (51.6% females) 15 years or older. Back and neck pain frequencies were assessed using single items and quality of life using the Short Form Survey and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Analysis of covariance was conducted, where back pain or neck pain frequency was used as the categorical predictor; physical component summary or mental component summary, as the dependent variable; and age, body mass index, and physical activity level, as covariates. RESULTS The prevalence of back pain was 66.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 62.3%-70.3%) and 62.9% (95% CI, 58.7%-67.2%) in females and males, respectively. The prevalence of neck pain was 58.0% (95% CI, 53.8%-62.2%) for females and 53.6 (95% CI, 49.2%-58.0%) for males. Differences between men and women were not significant (P>.05). Adjusted mean values for physical component summary and mental component summary were substantially lower in participants who reported back or neck pain often/almost always compared with those without pain. Differences ranged from 8.11 to 11.86 points (95% CI, 5.54-13.99) and from 9.61 to 10.99 points (95% CI, 7.35-13.45) in females and males, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study showed that back and neck pain are highly prevalent and negatively related to quality of life in the Croatian general population. These data might raise the awareness of local government health authorities and lead to improvements in health care service for people with back and neck pain.

Patterns and correlates of physical activity among middle-aged employees: A population-based, cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine the level, pattern and correlates (socio-demographic, lifestyle and work-related) of physical activity among middle-aged employees in Croatia.Material and MethodsIn this cross-sectional study the data were collected using a household interview on a random sample of 766 middle-aged employees (52% female) living in Croatia. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-long) was used to assess physical activity. An additional questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic, lifestyle and work-related correlates.ResultsThe median (95% CI) total physical activity for the whole sample was 78.7 (69.1–88.3) MET-hours/week. Most physical activity was accumulated in the domain of work (26.4 (20.3–32.5) MET-hours/week) or in domestic activities (19.2(17.8–20.7) MET-hours/week), whilst a significantly lower physical activity was found in the transport (3.3 (2.9–3.7) MET-hours/week) and leisure-time domains (6.5 (5.7–7.3) MET-hours/week). The multiple regression analysis showed an inverse relationship between educational level and the size of settlements with the domestic-related and total physical activity (β range: −0.11 to −0.22; p < 0.01). Among lifestyle correlates, only alcohol consumption was positively related to the total physical activity (β = 0.12; p < 0.01), while the perceived level of stress outside work was the only one, which was inversely associated with the work-related (β = −0.09; p < 0.01) and leisure-time physical activity (β = −0.10; p < 0.01).ConclusionsMiddle-aged employees in Croatia accumulate most of their daily physical activity in the work and domestic domains. Analysis of the relationship between physical activity and potential socio-demographic, lifestyle, and work-related correlates indicated that physical activity promotional activities should be primarily focused on males, employees living in smaller settlements and those with higher educational levels. The correlates of physical activity among middle-aged employees seem to be domain-specific. Therefore, future studies in this area should consider assessing physical activity in each domain separately.