Physical activity and health related environment preferences among students from the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The physical activity preferences (PAP) and attitude towards health's promotion among freshers from diff erent classes while maintaining a constant level of physical activity (PA) intervention. OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in the PAP of future physical education teachers and health educators. METHODS: The studies were carried out in 2000 and 2008 year with students from Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education (LAPE). A standardized, self administered questionnaire was filled in by 577 fresher students (244 males and 333 females). RESULTS: There were fewer students who wanted to attend a special health training course (coping with stress, remedial exercise, healthy nutrition) in 2008 than in 2000 (males 57.8% and 46.7%, p < 0.1; females 84.4% and 71.2% p < 0.02 respectively). Females showed a more critical view of the environment of the academy than males and men- tioned that there were fewer possibilities for healthy nutrition in the academy in 2008 than in 2000 (26.1% and 19.12% p < 0.02). After eight years students are using health promotion tools less often in the academy. The number of students who used vigorous and strengthening activities decreased in 2008 comparing with the year 2000 (males 59.2% and 46.7%; females 47.7% and 22.5% p < 0.001, respectively). Also fewer of them chose wellness centers (males 27.6% and 22.8%, females 37.0% and 11.6% p < 0.001, respectively). There were fewer females who reported having participated in activities which made them sweat and breathe hard (2-3 times/week and more) in 2008 than in 2000 (c2 = 49.05, p < 0.001). The Contingency Coefficient (C), measuring the strength of this association was at .369. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that there is an increasing need for intervention to promote PA among students who enter the academy and continue studying here. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is necessary to develop physical activity programs for an integral academy education, mainly in females, avoiding the lowering of physical activity as they move higher at the educational level. Also the plan to increase the number of physical activities and exercises must be included in curricular scenarios, and the use of leisure time must be oriented towards physical activity.