Gender Differences in Subjective Quality of Life of Elite and Competitive Sports Games Players

Abstract

SummaryThe objective of the present study was to analyse subjective quality of life (S-QOL) throughout the quality of life indicators’ (QOLIs) and quality of life domains’ (QOLDs) satisfaction, and overall S-QOL among elite and competitive sports games players (i.e. players) and compare the SQOL between the male and female. The research sample comprised of 106 male players (mean age 27.2 ± 1.96 years) and 28 female players (mean age 24.9 ± 1.45 years). A standardized Subjective Quality of Life Analyses (S.QUA.L.A.) was used as a primary research method. No significant differences were found in overall S-QOL neither in QOLDs’ satisfaction between male and female players. Male players present significantly higher satisfaction with leisure activities, sport and work than females. Both genders equally declared the highest S-QOL by social relation and physical health/level of independence and the lowest level of S-QOL by psychological health/spirituality.

The Peculiarities of Health-Related Quality of Life in Recreational and Competitive Athletes

“…The study found that athletes, both competitive and recreational, emphasized physical activity and social relations when assessing their quality of life. This is confirmed by research of other scientists, which states that athletes evaluating their own QL scored the highest social relations and physical health and level of independence, and the lowestpsychological health/spirituality domain (Nemček, 2020). Ekblom-Bak et al (2018) emphasize that people who did sports from childhood and attended workouts and physical education classes, developed a healthy lifestyle, improved their skills for active leisure and were in better health condition compared with those who were less active and attended physical education classes minimally.…”

“…Researchers analysing different groups of HRQL find statistically significant gender differences concerning HRQL in male and female. It was found that female athletes expressed the greatest dissatisfaction with their psychological health (Nemček, 2020). It was determined that women reported higher stress intensity for coachrelated sources of acute stress and used approachbehavioural and avoidance-cognitive coping styles more often than their male counterparts (Anshel, Sutarso, & Jubenville, 2009).…”

“…Analysing the dimension of social relations of HRQL in male and female athletes, the research is controversial. Unver et al (2015) found that women's social scores were lower than those of men; later Carlquist et al (2017) found that women's evaluations in the social domain were higher than men's, and recent studies have not found any differences in the field of social relations among male and female athletes (Nemček, 2020).…”

“…The scientific literature focuses on the evaluation of QL and HRQL among recreational and competitive athletes. Competitive athletes' lifestyles are subordinated to sport, which becomes a way of their life (Stambulova, 1994), and significantly affect their QL from different perspectives (Nemček, 2020). Competitive athletes have 3 to 12 workouts per week depending on the sport and the macrocycle (Bompa & Haff, 2018).…”

Subjective Perception of Life Quality Among Men with Physical Disabilities with Different Sport Participation Level

“…Even many studies show the highest level of subjective perception of life quality in the group of elite athletes, no significant differences were reported in domains satisfaction nor in overall QOL between male and female elite athletes (Nemček 2020). Similarly, King et al's (1993) study showed the lack of difference in subjective perception of life quality scores between disabled and healthy individuals and based on their results suggested that clinical care approach not to be determined assuming that disabled people have lower subjective perception of life quality level.…”