Physical Activity Levels of the Young Adults in an Economically Developing Country: The Turkish Sample

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the physical activity levels of the young adults in Turkey, selected as an example of an economically developing country.A total of 1027 university students voluntarily participated in this study. The sport and household activity indexes of the Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire (PAAQ) were administered to the subjects. Student t-test showed gender differences in the intensity of the sport activities index (p<0.001). The results of 2 (gender) x 2 (intensity of sport activities) univariate ANOVA revealed significant gender, intensity differences and significant gender x intensity interaction on participation duration in the sports activities. This finding showed that males spent more time in both vigorous and non-vigorous sport activities than females. In terms of the type of engagement in sport activity, the majority of males primarily played soccer, while females had primarily walked. The Student t test revealed gender differences in both the duration of housework and sitting in the house.To conclude, males participated in sport activities with a higher intensity and spent more time on these activities than females. On the other hand, females spent much more time on housework activities and sitting in the house than males.

Physical Education and Sport: Does Participation Relate to Physical Activity Patterns, Observed Fitness, and Personal Attitudes and Beliefs?

“…Except the evidence reported in Turkish National Burden of Disease report, I only reached two studies (Aktener et al, 2006;Haşıl-Korkmaz & Arabacı, 2008 Considering the above mentioned studies (Turkish National Burden of Disease, 2004;Aktener, 2006;Haşıl-Korkmaz & Arabacı, 2008;Kin-İsler et al, 2009;Karaca et al, 2009;Cengiz et al, 2009), it can be stated that woman population in Turkey have a high risk of physical inactivity related health problems.…”

“…In addition, most of the above mentioned previous studies in Turkish context conducted in school aged population (Daskapan et al, 2006;Savci et al, 2006;Cengiz et al, 2009;İnce & Ebem, 2009;Koca et al, 2009;Kin-İşler et al, 2009;Karaca et al , 2009). This causes a serious limitation in the generalization of the findings to older adult population.…”

“…Burden of Disease, 2004;Koçak, 2005;Daskapan et al, 2006;Savci et al, 2006;Aktener et al, 2006;Cengiz et al, 2009;İnce & Ebem, 2009;Haşıl-Korkmaz & Arabacı, 2008;Kin-İşler et al, 2009;Karaca et al 2009) or social environment components (Kulakac et al, 2006;Koca et al, 2009) independently.…”

The evaluation of physical activity levels of students preparing public personnel selection examination (PPSE)

“…Kudaş et al (2005) reported that boys were more active in both school and leisure time, this difference become more higher in the schooltime and the physical activity levels of female students are lower both in school and their leisure time in their study having 198 participants (n= 106 females, n=92 males) in 5th and 6th grade students aiming at determining their physical activity levels and eating habits. Jimmy et al (2007) has reached the conclusion that males prefer to participate in more intense activities in the study 209 students partipated in who were between 4-9 years, in 9-12 grades in the city of Nendaz, Switzerland, investigating the physical activity levels of them Karaca et al (2009) have reached the conclusion that men spend more time in intense activities while walking activities are more likely preferred by women in the study in which 1027 university students participated to investigate physical activity levels iof them;. Akandere et al (2008) found that women were less active at work than men in the study in which the physical activity levels of Kick Boxing coaches were evaluated.…”

“…Akandere et al (2008) found that women were less active at work than men in the study in which the physical activity levels of Kick Boxing coaches were evaluated. Karaca et al (2009) stated that most of the women spent their time by housework or sitting in their homes. This is thought to be due to the fact that women spend more time at home.…”