Background:The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the level of knowledge regarding health and health education as well as the pro-health behaviours of students of physical education and other teaching specialisation. Material and methods: Anonymous and voluntary research was carried out in the years 2013--2014 among a randomly chosen group of Krakow academic youth. The research applied: involved the Inventory of Health Behaviours (IHB) (Polish: Inwentarz Zachowań Zdrowotnych) by Z. Juczyński, a short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and an original test on knowledge regarding health determinants and education.Results: Research has indicated differences in some health behaviours (IHB) and physical activity (IPAQ) of the students. It was found that along with an increase in the level of knowledge about health and health education, the level of pro-health behaviours, especially regarding healthy eating habits, also increased. However, there were no statistically significant correlations between knowledge about health and health education and the level of physical activity of students of the teaching specialisation.Conclusions: Preparing students -future teachers -for the to implementation of health education at school requires comprehensive impact on various areas of health culture, including the level of knowledge about health determinants, pro-health behaviours, the position of health within one's value system and appropriate methodological competences.

The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and diet quality indexes among Polish and Spanish physical education students. The study was conducted among students from Poland (n = 219) and Spain (n = 280), using the Dietary Habits and Nutrition Beliefs Questionnaire and the NEO-FFI (NEO Five-Factor Inventory) questionnaire. Two indexes were used: the Pro-healthy Diet Index (pHDI-10) and the Non-healthy Diet Index (nHDI-14). For statistical analysis, the t-test with independent estimation of variance as well as both Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlation analysis and moderation analysis with simple slopes were used. Polish and Spanish physical education students demonstrated low levels of healthy (pHDI-10) and unhealthy (nHDI-14) diet indexes, with Polish students showing significantly higher intensities of both indicators (p < 0.001). As extraversion intensified, the levels of pHDI-10 and nHDI-14 increased (p < 0.05). The nHDI-14 index for all students decreased along with increasing openness to experiences (p < 0.01) and agreeableness (p < 0.05), and the pHDI-10 index increased with the rise in conscientiousness (p < 0.01). Analyses have indicated that the home country is an important moderator of personality relationships with the Non-healthy Diet Index (nHDI-14), which, along with the increase in conscientiousness, increased in students from Spain, while it decreased among students from Poland (p < 0.001). Polish and Spanish physical education students showed a low level of healthy (pHDI-10) and unhealthy (nHDI-14) diets depending on country of origin. Additionally, significant correlations were noted between the Big Five personality traits and pHDI-10 and nHDI-14 indexes, and a moderating impact was observed by the home country on the relationships of selected personality traits with the Non-healthy Diet Index (nHDI-14).

We aimed to analyze personality-related determinants of physical activity among Polish and Spanish physical education (PE) students. The study was conducted among 219 Polish and 280 Spanish PE students, using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the NEO-FFI Personality Inventory. Compared with Spanish PE students, their Polish counterparts are characterized by a higher level of extraversion and conscientiousness and a lower level of neuroticism. The level of total physical activity for all students was 8,697.21 METs, and this value was higher among Polish students. Among Polish and Spanish PE students, the level of total, vigorous, and moderate physical activity increased along with the increase in extraversion, while a decrease occurred along with the increase in neuroticism. The level of each domain of physical activity also increased in line with the intensification of student conscientiousness. In moderation analyses, it was shown that the home country of students may be considered a moderator of the relationship between conscientiousness and total exercise in such a way that the physical activity increased along with the increase in conscientiousness only among the Polish students. In addition, the country is a moderator of the correlation between moderate physical activity and neuroticism (p = 0.031), openness (p = 0.049), and conscientiousness (p = 0.019), with moderate activity only decreasing among Polish students and increasing along with the increase in openness and conscientiousness. Positive correlations among physical activity, extraversion, and conscientiousness, as well as negative ones with neuroticism, were demonstrated among Polish and Spanish students, and also the moderating impact of the country on the correlation between personality-related dimensions and physical activity.

Pro-health behaviours are related to a person’s personal resources. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between satisfaction with life (SWL), nutritional behaviours, somatic indices, and functional efficiency of senior women. The research was conducted among 120 women aged 60–84 (Me = 65) participating in the “Healthy Active Senior” project at the University of Physical Education in Kraków. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the proprietary validated questionnaire of nutritional behaviour were used. Body composition was assessed using the method of bioelectrical impedance (TANITA SC-330ST analyser), while physical fitness was evaluated via the Senior Fitness test (Fullerton Functional Fitness Test). Correlations between the variables were measured by implementing Spearman’s R signed-rank correlation coefficients (with p < 0.05). Positive correlations between SWL and selected nutrition behaviours have been demonstrated, including eating 5–6 meals (p < 0.001) and drinking at least 2 litres of fluids a day (p = 0.023), consuming cereal products daily, including whole-grains (p = 0.001), avoiding alcoholic beverages (p = 0.030), and applying vitamin D supplementation (p = 0.010). At the same time, negative correlations between SWL and limiting the consumption of red as well as processed meats (p = 0.002), animal fats (p = 0.046), and the preference for vegetable oils in one’s diet (p = 0.023) were shown. Significant correlations between satisfaction with life and two indicators of functional fitness were also confirmed: negative—with the variable ‘2.44-m Get-Up and Go’ (p = 0.003); and positive—with the ‘2-Minute Step in Place’ test (p = 0.034). The relationships between SWL and somatic indices did not reach the level of statistical significance. Among the women participating in the “Healthy Active Senior” programme, correlations between SWL and rational nutritional behaviours, as well as indices of functional fitness, were found (mostly positive), while the trends in these areas were not fully unambiguous, suggesting the validity of conducting further research.

Purpose. The key determinant of health, defined in the holistic model as a dynamic process aiming at psycho-physiological balance, is lifestyle. Values, as an integrated part of people's beliefs, exert a significant influence on their behaviour, choices, development of identity, and interpretation of situations. The purpose of this study was to determine the place of vital values within the system of values, and to analyse the relationship between the place of vital values and the level of physical activity in future teachers. Methods. The study was conducted among a randomly selected group of 486 students, including 416 women (85.60%) and 70 men (14.40%) (mean age: 23.39 years). A short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess the level of physical activity. The Scheler Value Scale (SVS) served to evaluate the place of vital values in the students' hierarchy of values. Results. It was found that students respected moral and truth values the most, while vital values the least. The respondents were most likely to undertake moderate physical activity, with more men than women declaring a high level of physical activity and less often a moderate level. The more the students respected vital values, the more often they undertook physical activity. Conclusions. The results have shown that more attention should be given to axiological education in order to enhance vital values in the hierarchy of values among future teachers.

The aim of the study was to analyse the correlation between the level of satisfaction with life, health-related behaviours and physical activity in the group of academic youth studying pedagogical subjects at chosen universities in Cracow. The following variables were used and characterized: levels of satisfaction with life, health-related behaviours and physical activity. The study verifi es the hypothesis that the academic youth characterized by higher levels of satisfaction with life will be show a wider scale of pro-health behaviours and higher levels of physical activity. The study was conducted in a random group of 486 participants – 416 women (85.60%) and 70 men (14.40%) in the age 22–28 years (average: 23 years). The group consisted of undergraduates (3rd year of bachelor studies) at pedagogical studies from three universities in Cracow: Pedagogical University of Cracow (66.26%), the Jagiellonian University (25.31%) and Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University (8.43% ). The standardised Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) by Diener et al. in the Polish adaptation by Z. Juczyński (2009) was used for the purpose of measuring the satisfaction with life. The Inventory of Health-Related Behaviours (IHRB) by Juczyński (2009) was used for the assessment of 4 categories of health-related behaviours: proper nutrition habits (PNH), prophylaxis (P), pro-health practices (PHP) and positive attitude (PA). The intensity of pro-health behaviours was assessed with the use of the proper sten scores (Juczyński 2009). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) – Short Form was used to assess the levels of physical activity. The above presented authors’ own research show that the majority of Cracow students of pedagogical subjects was characterized by an average satisfaction with life, and low levels of pro-health behaviours, as well as an adequate level of physical activity. Statistically signifi cant diversity in some pro-health behaviours and physical activities were discovered. They were found to be related to such factors as sex, intensity of certain pro-health behaviours, and satisfaction with life among academic youth.

Background. Nutritional behaviours are determined by numerous individual and environmental factors. Objective. The aim of the study was to analyse the frequency of consuming selected food product groups (with potentially beneficial and potentially detrimental effects on health) among physical education students depending on gender and home country. Materials and methods. The study was conducted among 219 Polish and 280 Spanish physical education students, using a standardised questionnaire for obtaining information on views and eating habits for people aged 16-65 (Kom-PAN). In the statistical analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test and t-test with independent estimation of variance were incorporated,the significance level at α = 0.05. Results. Among Polish and Spanish students, significant differences in the frequency of consuming certain product groups depending on home country were noted, with Polish students significantly more frequently consuming recommended products (fruit, vegetables, whole-grains, milk, fromage frais, and poultry), but also those non-recommended (purified cereals, cheeses with high fat content, butter, fried foods, sweets and alcoholic beverages). Spanish students significantly more often consumed recommended meals including legume seeds and sea fish, but also non-recommended products (red meat, fast food, sweets and energy drinks). Moreover, significant differences in the frequency of consuming selected product groups depending on sex were observed, with an indication of the tendency for less rational food choices among male students than female students, especially regarding the consumption of: high-milled cereal products, processed and red meat, fatty cheeses, fried foods, lard, sweets and energy drinks. On the other hand, women consumed sweets significantly more often than men, and less often legume seeds and fish. Conclusions. A limited prevalence of rational dietary choices among Polish and Spanish physical education students and their diversity depending on gender and home country have been demonstrated.

Vital values, including health, fitness and well-being, contribute to an active undertaking of activities, whose primary objective is to maintain, protect and enhance a psychophysical potential of a man. School, along with family, plays a special role in providing pupils with health education and creating appropriate conditions for the development of pro-health attitudes and realization of behaviors fostering their health. It should be noted that the health education of children and youngsters has been recognized and included in the education systems of all European countries. The aim of the study was to assess the position of vital values in the system of values and to analyze the correlation between the position of vital values and pro-health behaviours of pre-service teachers. The study was conducted in a randomly selected group of 486 people,