engleski

Relationship between physical activity in different domains and health-related quality of life in middle-age employees

Introduction: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) refers to self-perceived health including its physical, mental, and social aspects1 (Ware & Sherbourne, 1992). Although scientific studies showed positive relationship between leisure-time physical activity and HRQoL, relationship between physical activity in other domains (work, domestic, transport) and HRQoL is still unclear. Therefore the main purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between physical activity in different domains (work, domestic, transport, and leisure-time) and HRQoL. Methods: HRQoL and physical activity were assessed on a random sample of 766 Croatian employees aged 40-65 years using SF-36 and IPAQ, respectively. The relation between physical activity in different domains and HRQoL was evaluated by least-squares multiple regression analyses. In the regression model, the physical activity levels in four domains were used as independent variables and eight scales and two component summary measures of SF-36 as dependent variables. Prior to regression analyses, we adjusted HRQoL and physical activity for the socio-demographic (age, level of education, and personal income) and lifestyle variables (tobacco habits, alcohol consumption, and BMI). Results: Multiple regression analyses showed a significant relationship between physical activity and physical functioning, general health, and vitality in females (multiple R range, 0.16-0.22) and physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, mental health, and physical and mental summary component score in males (multiple R range, 0.18-0.27). Leisuretime physical activity was positively related to HRQoL, whereas work and transport physical activity were inversely related to HRQoL. Conclusions: Physical activity was significantly related to several HRQoL scales and summary component scores after adjustment for socio-demographic and lifestyle variables. Our findings support the hypothesis that only leisure-time physical activity has important role for improving HRQoL. We also showed that there is a need for distinction of physical activity throughout different domains in studies of physical activity and HRQoL on middle-aged employees.

Health-related quality of life; physical activty; SF-36; IPAQ; public health

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