The connection between physical activity and students’ academic success - a pilot study
Arijan Voldin
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64542/pc.x.x.x
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64542/pc.x.x.x
SAŽETAK
Uvod: Sedentarni način života i smanjena tjelesna aktivnost povećavaju rizik od kroničnih bolesti, visokih troškova liječenja i prerane smrtnosti. Redovita tjelesna aktivnost poboljšava zdravlje, smanjuje rizik od bolesti, te pozitivno utječe na kognitivne funkcije, ravnotežu i psihosocijalno zdravlje.
Cilj: Utvrditi povezanost između tjelesne aktivnosti i akademskog uspjeha studenata.
Materijali i metode: Provedeno je pilot istraživanje na uzorku od 105 ispitanika (N=105). Podaci su prikupljeni pomoću anonimnog anketnog upitnika koji se sastojao od sociodemografskih podataka i Međunarodnog upitnika o tjelesnoj aktivnosti (IPAQ-SF).
Rezultati: Nema statistički značajne razlike u tjelesnoj aktivnosti ispitanika s obzirom na studij (p = 0,55). Ispitanici studija Sestrinstva koji nemaju djecu značajnije su dovoljno tjelesno aktivni (p = 0,009). Nije utvrđena značajna razlika u tjelesnoj aktivnosti ispitanika studija Sestrinstva s obzirom na kategorije indeksa tjelesne mase (p = 0,12), za razliku od ispitanika studija Fizioterapije koji su nedovoljno tjelesno aktivni značajnije su pretili (p = 0,006). Ispitanici studija Sestrinstva koji su dovoljno tjelesno aktivni imaju značajno veći prosjek ocjena (4,12) od ispitanika koji su nedovoljno ili minimalno tjelesno aktivni (p = 0,04).
Zaključak: Tjelesna aktivnost ima važnu ulogu u očuvanju zdravlja. Neophodno je provesti dodatna istraživanja na većim uzorcima kako bi se bolje razumjeli čimbenici koji utječu na tjelesnu aktivnost studenata i razvile učinkovitije strategije za poticanje zdravih životnih navika i poboljšanje akademskog uspjeha.
Ključne riječi: akademski uspjeh, student, tjelesna aktivnost
ABSTRACT
Introduction: A sedentary lifestyle and reduced physical activity increase the risk of chronic diseases, higher healthcare costs, and premature mortality. Regular physical activity improves overall health, reduces disease risk, and has positive effects on cognitive function, balance, and psychosocial well-being.
Aim: To determine the correlation between physical activity and students’ academic success.
Materials and methods: A pilot study was conducted on a sample of 105 participants (N = 105). Data were collected using an anonymous survey questionnaire that included sociodemographic information and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF).
Results: No statistically significant difference in physical activity was found with respect to the field of study (p = 0.55). Nursing students without children were significantly more likely to be sufficiently physically active (p = 0.009). Among nursing students, no significant differences in physical activity were observed across body mass index categories (p = 0.12). In contrast, among physiotherapy students, those who were insufficiently physically active were significantly more obese (p = 0.006). Nursing students who were sufficiently physically active had a significantly higher grade point average (4.12) compared with students who were insufficiently or minimally physically active (p = 0.04).
Conclusion: Physical activity plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. Further research on larger samples is necessary to better understand the factors influencing students’ physical activity and to develop more effective strategies for promoting healthy lifestyle habits and improving academic performance.
Key words: academic achievement, student, physical activity