GENDER AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FROM THE VISEGRAD GROUP COUNTRIES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background
Physical activity is a direct determinant of human health, constituting a key component of a healthy lifestyle. The aim of the study was to determine differences in the level of physical activity between female and male university students from the Visegrad Group countries.

Material and methods
The study included 2,697 students from four Visegrad Group countries. Physical activity was assessed using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-LF). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare groups. Values of p<0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results
The level of physical activity and the amount of time spent sitting, as reported by the students, showed significant associations with the country (university) of study. The highest level of total physical activity was observed among Polish students, with job-related activities contributing the most to overall physical activity. Statistically significant differences between genders were found in both vigorous and moderate physical activity, as well as in the domains of work and household activities.

Conclusions
The study results confirm that gender is a statistically significant variable differentiating the level of physical activity among university students from the Visegrad Group countries, with males being more active. Significant associations were demonstrated between vigorous and moderate physical activity, as well as specific domains of physical activity and gender.