Maria Alicja Nowak

Socio-demographic conditions of the realization of health-oriented lifestyles by women

Background We can talk about lifestyle when we deal with certain configurations of behaviour patterns, relatively constant and repetitive, in situations where there are conditions for alternative behaviours. Vitally significant in the realization of lifestyles are values which constitute the basis for human action, the criteria for the choices made. The aim of the study was socio-demographic conditions of the realization of health-oriented lifestyles by women. Material & Methods: Research conducted between 1999 and 2004 included 1361 women aged 20–75, living in cities of western Poland and participating in recreational physical exercise (purposive sampling). The diagnostic survey method was employed (the techniques of questionnaire, interview, List of Health Criteria). For the verification of the research hypotheses concerning the conditions (age, number of children, professional activity) of a health-oriented lifestyle (the recognized health and/or physical fitness values were set together with health-related behaviours: physical activity, forms of vacation, nutritional status, avoidance of smoking, moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages) the c2 independence test and the multiple correspondence analysis were used. Results: Women who appreciated the values of health and physical fitness (28.1%) were mostly characterized by manyyear participation in physical exercise (p=0.0123 for the c2 test), choice of active forms of relaxation (p=0.0396 for the c2 test), moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages (p=0.0353 for the c2 test), mainly with low alcohol content (p=0.0054 for the c2 test). No statistically significant dependences were found between recognition of these values and smoking or body weight of the subjects. Women who recognize the values of health and physical activity, or only health, with 7 or more years of history of participation in physical recreation, choosing vacations directly connected with physical activity and avoiding consumption of alcoholic beverages, are mainly professionally active or temporarily inactive individuals aged 30 to 49, having one child. Conclusions: In the dissemination of physical activity in our society it is necessary to promote the value of physical activity, presenting it in the context of health-oriented lifestyle. Lifestyle in such an approach can be applied in analysing the results of the process of education.

Selected behaviors and health awareness of athletes practicing martial arts

Summary Introduction. The aim of the research was to find the answers to the questions of: which health-related behaviors are displayed by martial arts athletes, especially by champions, and what relationships there are between their health-related behaviors and their perception of health-threatening factors. Material and methods. The study (between 2009 and 2011) involved 134 athletes practicing martial arts. The diagnostic survey method was employed, with the use of the questionnaire technique. In the statistical examination of the results the trait frequency, the χ 2 independence test, and the multiple correspondence analysis were employed. Results. Most athletes did not smoke (83.6%). The athletes practicing taekwondo declared consumption of alcoholic beverages (85.7%), while those practicing wrestling were most often non-drinkers (87.0%) (p=0.0000). Athletes with the highest sporting level (champions) mostly did not smoke (93.3%) and abstained from drinking alcoholic beverages (59.1%). It was observed that those who regularly smoked more often failed to perceive tobacco consumption as a health risk (92.3%) (p=0.0000). Athletes who frequently drank alcoholic beverages did not see this behavior as dangerous to their health (41.7%) (p=0.0000). Conclusions. Athletes who display health-oriented behaviors are highly aware of smoking and frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages being health-threatening factors. In reducing the risk factors related to smoking and frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages, martial arts—based on a specific philosophy and lifestyle that requires a reflective attitude towards one’s own conduct and respecting the rules of fair play—should become a means of developing health-oriented behaviors among youth.

HEALTH SELF-ASSESSMENT IN PRESENTLY AND PREVIOUSLY PHYSICALLY ACTIVE PEOPLE AGED 45-89 YEARS

Abstract Introduction. Health behaviours, such as physical activity, are important elements in human life. They are particularly significant and crucial for the elderly in adapting to the new challenges in their daily life. One important indicator of the health status of individuals in the post-working age is its self-assessment. The aim of the study was to determine the self-assessment of the health status of people aged 45-89 years physically active at present and in the past. Material and methods. The research was based on purposeful sampling and was carried out as part of courses related to the physical mobilisation of elderly people held at the Poznań Academy of Physical Education faculty in Gorzów Wielkopolski and at the Faculty of Physical Culture and Health Promotion at the University of Szczecin. The research involved 300 parents and grandparents of the students taking courses at the two universities. Data were collected by means of a diagnostic survey carried out using questionnaires and interviews. Results. Women constituted the majority of respondents and had a higher self-assessment of their health than the men in each age group. The highest self-assessments were reported by urban dwellers, parents, and younger people. People who were physically active (currently and previously) - practising sports, travelling, going away on holiday, and taking care of their health (by doing rehabilitation or going to a sanatorium) - or professionally active also had a higher self-assessment of their health. Conclusions. Studying the elderly is important not only for diagnosing diseases but also for identifying prevention activities. Knowledge of the types of behaviour that are conducive to health and ways of modifying them, supported by positive behaviour patterns, should contribute to improving the health of society.

The Fan Lifestyle on the Example of Soccer Fans

The aim of this study was to investigate chosen aspects of the lifestyle of soccer fans. Methods. The study was conducted among 200 fans. In the study a diagnostic survey was employed, with the use of the techniques of questionnaire, interview, document analysis and participant observation. In order to draw statistical conclusions, the trait frequency, the independence χ2 test and multiple correspondence analysis were used. Results. The community of active fans is characterized by various kinds of behavior. Fans aged 15–19, for whom important motives for cheering were the opportunity to be with a group and a sense of connectedness, as well as a sense of strength and power, declared consumption of alcoholic beverages before matches. For fans aged 20–24, who more often practiced combat sports and exercised in the gym, an important motive for cheering was the opportunity to meet their friends and let off steam during the match. They regarded devastation of sports facilities and burning scarves as acts of hooliganism. Fans aged 25–29, and 30 or above admitted that they sometimes consumed alcoholic beverages before the game. Conclusions. There is a necessity to educate children and youth in sports cheering.

THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, EATING HABITS, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF CHILDREN ATTENDING MUSIC SCHOOL

Abstract Introduction. Obesity is a multifactorial disorder affecting the energy balance in the body, in which the energy ingested exceeds the energy used by the body over a certain period of time. Some of the key causes of obesity in children include inappropriate eating habits and an insufficient amount of physical activity. The aim of the study presented in this article was to describe the level of physical development, nutritional status, and physical activity of children attending music school, whose free time is more limited than that of their peers. Material and methods. The materials used in the study were anthropometric data and data concerning the body composition of children aged 11-13 years who attended music school and those of their peers who attended regular state school. For the purposes of the study, several nutritional status indicators were established and a questionnaire concerning the eating habits and physical activity of the children was designed. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The statistical significance of the differences between the values obtained for the two groups was then measured using a t-test. Results. The children who attended music school were found to be more corpulent and to have more body fat than their peers. It was also determined that the former had irregular meals and an unbalanced diet, and they did not participate in organised out-of-school sports activities. Conclusion. The high amount of body fat found in students of music school was most likely due to their unhealthy eating habits and limited physical activity.