Investigation of the relationship between physical activity level and quality of life of university personnel

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of regular physical activity level on quality of life. The sample of the study included 363 personnel working at Near East University during May-June 2015. Data of the study were collected with “Demographic Information Form”, “Short form of International Physical Activity Evaluation Survey” and “Quality of Life Scale SF-36”. Data were analyzed with SPSS package program. Percentage, frequency and chi-square values were calculated and manova, anova and post hoc tests were applied for data analysis in order to determine if there is a significant difference between the variables. According to the results, it was revealed that males are more active than females. It was also figured out that married academic personnels are more active than single academic personnels; single administrative personnels are more active than married administrative personnels. When the quality of lives of academic and administrative personnels are compared, the significant difference in social and mental dimensions was observed in the favor of administrative personnel. When physical activity levels of academic and administrative personnels considered based on their age group; it was found that the most active personnels are 30 and under the age of 30 in both two groups. When quality of life levels of university personnel are considered based on age group; it was revealed that there was a significant difference in social and mental dimensions for 31 and above age group when compared to 30 and below age group. As a result of this research, it was figured out that physical activity levels of males when compared to females and physical activity levels of married participants when compared to single participants are higher. In terms of quality of life, it was revealed that administrative personnel are more healty in social and mental dimensions when compared to academic personnel. When physical activity levels based on age group are considered, the most active participants were 30 and above the age of 30 in both groups. When quality of life of university personnels are compared based on age group, it was revealed that 31 and above age group has higher levels of quality of life in social and mental dimensions when comapred to 30 and below age group.

Keywords: Physical activity, university personnel, quality of life.