The analysis of existing information on physical activity and fitness as elements of health and well-being reveals that they are achieved particularly effectively in contact with nature. Physical education lessons outdoors, as a form of healthy training, have been performed in numerous countries for years, providing a response to the traditional indoor model of this kind of education. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between the participation of students in outdoor and indoor lesson activities and the change in their physical fitness. 220 students participated in an experimental study. The experimental group, which did exercise usually in open spaces, included 49 boys and 54 girls. The control group, which exercised inside school, consisted of 63 boys and 54 girls. The study period lasted two years and involved the fifth and sixth form of primary school. Experimental group subjects were 11.26 years old (±0.32) during the initial test, and the control group individuals were 11.28 years (±0.32). During the final test, the average ages of experimental group subjects was 12.96 years (±0.32), and 12.98 years (±0.32) in the control group. The International Physical Activity Test was applied in the study. The differences between the levels of particular components of physical fitness were not statistically significant during the initial measurement (p-values ranged from p = 0.340 to p = 0.884). After two years of outdoor physical education lessons, there was revealed a considerable increase in the speed, jumping ability, and aerobic endurance of the students. Statistically significant differences were observed in these three tests, including running speed (p = 0.001), legs power (p = 0.001), and endurance (p = 0.000). The findings encourage one to continue pedagogical experiments regarding physical activity in outdoor natural environments.
Background: In the reflection on old age, the issue of activating the elderly and incorporating them into social life in order to counteract social exclusion and all forms of discrimination is clearly marked. The study aimed at getting to know the opinions of the students of the University of the Third Age on preferred health behaviors and social support.
Material/Methods:The study group involved 130 students of the University of the Third Age. The vast majority were women (90%, n = 117), and the mean age was 65.4 ±5.9 years. The study used a questionnaire containing questions about sociodemographic data, selected health behaviors and social support. The p level of < 0.05 was considered significant for the interpretation of hypotheses.
Results:The place of residence does not have a significant impact on the activities undertaken among the respondents. Walks and organized gymnastics were the most frequently chosen form of physical activity, which people aged 66-70 often did. Passive rest of a significant percentage of students was associated with watching television. The most frequently occurring condition was hypertension. Emotional support was received by the respondents from the family/relatives (40% of respondents); a similar percentage of people (about 37%) declared that they had no expectations in this regard. The percentage of people using institutional support in both subgroups was significantly different, with respondents in the town of Ketrzyn (northeastern Poland) using this form more often.Conclusions: Surveyed students lead an inadequately active lifestyle. Factors such as age, place of residence and education did not affect physical activity.
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