ABSTRACT

Introduction: Maintaining an optimal level of physical activity is beneficial for daily functioning.

Aim: To compare the physical activity and satisfaction with physical activity of physiotherapists and nurses/ technicians and to examine whether there are gender differences and whether behaviours such as smoking, alcohol and fruit consumption are correlated with the level of physical activity.

Materials and methods: The research was conducted in Croatia, in the Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation of Varaždinska Toplice. It was conducted in May 2023, on a sample of 202 respondents. The instrument used was the Questionnaire of Physical Activity and Physical Activity Satisfaction, created by the author of the study, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results: 115 physiotherapists and 87 nurses/ technicians, mostly women (N=160, 79.2%) participated in the research. Physiotherapists and nurses/technicians have a relatively high level of physical activity, currently 101 (50%) respondents engage in physical activity occasionally, and 35 (17.3%) regularly. But they, answer that they are not completely satisfied with their overall physical activity. No significant difference was found with regard to gender and occupation in the level of physical activity. Also, no significant correlation was found between total physical activity and smoking, fruit and alcohol consumption.

Conclusion: The level of physical activity in physiotherapists and nurses / technicians is high and both groups of examiners are equally satisfied with the same. There was no statistically significant difference in physical activity between physiotherapists and nurses, as well as an association between alcoholic beverage consumption, fruit and smoking with physical activity levels. In order to increase physical activity satisfaction, emphasis should be placed on better nutrition, healthier shift meals and a higher level of free time activities.

Key words: exercise, health promotion, nurses, physiotherapists, quality of life