Investigation of the Effects of Physical Activity on Body Awareness, Posture and Anxiety in Smartphone Addicted Individuals

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical activity on body awareness, posture and anxiety in smartphone addicted individuals. Material and Method: The smartphone addiction level of 110 smartphone addicted young adult (20.27±2.25 years) included in the study was assessed with the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS), physical activity level with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ), body awareness with the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ), posture assessment with the New York Posture Rating Scale (NYPRS) and anxiety level with the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). According to the IPAQ score, participants were categorised into three groups as inactive (I group), minimally active (M group) and active (A group). Body awareness, posture affectivity and anxiety levels of the groups were compared. The relationship between physical activity levels and body awareness, posture problems and anxiety levels of all participants was analysed. Results: The BAQ score of the I group was lower than that of the M and A groups (p.05). The BAI score of group I was higher than that of group A (p=.039). The NYPRS scores did not differ significantly between the groups (p>.05). There was a positive correlation between IPAQ score and BAQ score (r=.283, p=.003) and a negative correlation with BAI score (r=.212, p=.043). A negative correlation was found between sitting time and NYPRS score (r=.214, p=.041). Conclusion: Physical activity has a positive effect on body awareness and anxiety in smartphone-addicted individuals. Physical activity can protect young adult from the negative physical and psychological effects of smartphones. In addition, it is important to pay careful consideration to the sitting time in order to prevent posture problems in these individuals.