Body Composition, Physical Fitness, Physical Activity and Nutrition in Polish and Spanish Male Students of Sports Sciences: Differences and Correlations

Abstract

It is important to study differences in body composition, physical fitness and lifestyle behaviours between university students from different countries to develop country-specific recommendations on health promotion to provide to students when transitioning to university. The present study aimed to analyse differences in body composition, physical fitness and lifestyle behaviours between Polish and Spanish students of Sports Sciences. One-hundred-and-eighty-six male students participated (81 from Poland and 105 from Spain). Polish males were on average 21.5 ± 1.9 yrs old and Spanish males 21.5 ± 2.5. The body composition variables measured were body weight (kg), fat-free mass (FFM, kg and %), fat mass (FM, kg and %), total body water (TBW, kg and %), basal metabolic rate (BMR, kcal), body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), fat-free mass index (FFMI, kg/m2) and fat mass index (FMI, kg/m2). The physical fitness variables measured were squat jump (SJ, height in cm, power in watts and w/kg), countermovement jump (CMJ, height in cm, power in watts and w/kg), running speed (10, 20 and 30 m (time in s)), and progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER, stage, final speed in km/h, distance in m, VO2max in mL/kg/min). Lifestyle variables measured were vigorous physical activity (VPA, days/week, min/week), moderate physical activity (MPA, days/week, min/week), walking (days/week, min/week), sitting (min/week), meals/day, vegetables/day, fruits/day, seafood/week, dairy products/week, sweets, chips, fast food/week, litres of liquid/day, litres of sugary drinks/day, alcohol/week and cigarettes/day. In comparison to Spanish students, Polish students had greater FFM (kg), greater TBW (kg), higher BMR, greater power in SJ, greater height and power in CMJ, lower times in running speed tests (10 and 20 m) and greater consumption of vegetables and liquids. In comparison to Polish students, Spanish students participated in more physical activity, and consumed more seafood, more dairy products, less sugary drinks, less alcohol and less tobacco. VPA and consumption of vegetables and liquids had positive influences on body composition and physical fitness. According to these results, universities should promote a healthy lifestyle in order to improve body composition and physical fitness in male students studying sport science. In the cases of Spain and Poland, special attention should be paid to the weak points detected in this study. This would be useful for avoiding future risk of diseases such as obesity or diabetes.

Personality Determinants of Diet Quality among Polish and Spanish Physical Education Students

“…The discussed research among Polish and Spanish physical education students also showed statistically significant differences in the quality of food choices depending on country of origin, with an indication of a higher rate of both favorable and unfavorable food choices among Polish students. In other studies among Polish (from Gdańsk) and Spanish (from Murcia) physical education students, it was also confirmed that there is diversity in eating behaviors depending on country, with students from Murcia more often consuming seafood and dairy products, while students from Gdańsk consumed more vegetables [ 21 ]. Diversification of eating behavior depending on the geographical factor was also shown in research conducted among physical education students from Spain and Romania.…”

“…In the literature, works have been presented on the determinants of physical activity, which, however, did not allow clear identification of the moderators of the relationship between personality and physical activity [ 23 ]. In other studies on the health behaviors of physical education students from Gdańsk and Murcia, it was confirmed that there is diversity in certain aspects of lifestyle, with Spanish students showing more rational dietary choices [ 21 ]; this is not unequivocally confirmed in the authors’ research. The authors of research on the relationship between satisfaction with body mass, rational nutrition, health awareness and physical activity of students from various cultures (Egypt, Palestine, and Finland) [ 36 ] also suggested the justification for continuing research in various countries.…”

“…Earlier studies in the field of personality determinants of nutritional behaviors in academic youth concerned, for example, food choices among students of Polish (Kraków) universities [ 14 , 15 ], eating habits among students of various faculties in Ghana [ 16 ], eating disorders in Korean medical students [ 17 ] and in Lebanese students [ 18 ], eating disorders and alcohol consumption among American students [ 19 ], and the intake of dietary supplements by Japanese students [ 20 ]. On the other hand, comparative research in the field of geographical and cultural determinants regarding the nutritional behavior of academic youth concerned, among others, students from Spain (Murcia) and Poland (Gdańsk) [ 21 ], Spain and Romania [ 6 ], and from four other European countries (Poland, Bulgaria, Denmark, and Germany) [ 22 ].…”

Sense of generalised self-efficacy and pro-health behaviours of Polish and Spanish physical education students

“…Regardless of the students' country of origin, it has been suggested to rationalise student lifestyle in a way that promotes early prevention of chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes (Lopez-Sanchez et al, 2019). These lifestyle differences can originate in different cultures, traditions and climatic factors (Northern vs. Southern Europe), and also from the implementation of effective health policies (Lopez-Sanchez et al, 2019). The cited authors also indicate the need for repeating research in various regions of Poland and Spain, something which was attempted in this study.…”

Body Composition, Physical Fitness and Physical Activity Among Students from Universities in Biala Podlaska

“…In this period of life, dietary habits and health attitudes which make it possible to function in adult life are shaped [1]. Physical fitness of individuals from this age group has nearly all features of motor abilities of an adult and at the same time, the performed movements adapt to activities connected with future work and participation in various forms of physical recreation [2,3].…”