Physical activity level and health-related quality of life in primary school teachers

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is fundamental for the development of a healthy life; however, the teachers of the Chilean educational system have extensive working hours and curricular activities, which could restrict the practice of physical activity and with it, favor the deterioration of their quality of life. The objective of this research was to analyze the relationship between the level of physical activity and health-related quality of life of teachers of both sexes from public schools. This study is of a quantitative, descriptive-correlational type and evaluated 70 teachers at primary school of both genders (19 men and 51 women) between 20- and 60-years old belonging to 5 public schools in the city of Villa Alegre, Chile obtained through a non-probability sampling for convenience. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short version and the Short From Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire were used to measure health-related quality of life. Spearman's non-parametric test was performed to establish the correlation between variables. As a result, it stands out that there is a weak relationship between the level of PA with the dimensions physical function (p=0.003; r= 0.348), physical role (p=0.026; r= 0.266), general health (=0.012; r= 0.299) and a moderate relationship with bodily pain (p=0.001; r= 0.425). Similar results were observed when separating the sample by sex. Considering that teachers are currently exposed to a high work and mental load that brings with it pain, physical and emotional alterations, it is extremely necessary to promote the regular and systematic practice of PA in this population.