Correlations between physical activity and quality of life in entrepreneurs from Wroclaw, Poland.

BACKGROUND: Limited physical activity is one of the main reasons for the rapid increase in the prevalence of diseases of affluence, which can lead to premature deaths in adults. Quality of life may be one of potential determinants of physical activity. The aim of this article is to identify the relationships between physical activity and quality of life in entrepreneurs from Wroclaw, Poland. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of 616 entrepreneurs (216 women and 400 men). A diagnostic survey method was used with a direct interview technique. The research tools included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the studied entrepreneurs, along with their higher ratings of overall quality of life, the odds of high rather than low levels of physical activity increased nearly fivefold (OR 4.86, CI 3.34-7.07). Entrepreneurs with higher assessment levels of their perceived health condition were nearly twice as likely to report high rather than low physical activity levels (OR 1.92, CI 1.42-2.59). The conditional probability of high rather than low levels of physical activity also increased in the entrepreneurs with higher assessments of quality of life in the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains, by 34%, 11%, 5%, and 6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Programs promoting physical activity among entrepreneurs, which focus on moderate and high intensity exercise, should be considered desirable in the context of the study findings. Activities aimed at improving quality of life in the physical and psychological domains as a potential determinant of the level of physical activity of entrepreneurs are also worth recommending.

Quality of life of low-income adults.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life is currently one of the basic conceptual categories in many research disciplines. The authors of the present study are convinced that measurement of quality of life in reference to people living on the poverty line deserves special attention. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify relationships between the quality of life and sociodemographic variables in low-income Wroclaw residents. METHODS: The research was conducted in Wroclaw (Poland) and involved 1215 respondents aged 18-64 years, whose monthly gross income per capita in the household did not exceed 1043 PLN. The respondents' quality of life was assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire with additional questions on the respondents' social and demographic status. RESULTS: The Wroclaw residents most often assessed their quality of life as average or below average. They rated their health-related quality of life in the social domain as the highest, and in the physical domain as the lowest. Age, household size, stable source of income, savings, and indebtedness were significantly correlated with the quality of life of Wroclaw residents under study. Among the respondents, statistically significant relationships between perceived health condition assessment and age, professional status, stable source of income, and debt were also identified. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study indicate that public health programs and other activities related to quality of life management should be directed to individuals and social groups particularly threatened by low quality of life, i.e., people living on the income poverty line.

Socio-economic correlates of quality of life in single and married urban individuals: a Polish case study.

BACKGROUND: One of key current social trends is the increasing number of single people. It has multiple implications as single individuals often live and behave differently than those living in relationships. Marital status and socioeconomic status may also be significant quality of life factors for single persons. The aim of this study is to identify relationships between quality of life and selected indicators of socioeconomic status in single and married respondents from the Wroclaw metropolitan area in Poland. METHODS: 4460 respondents took part in the study (1828 single, 2632 married). The study was cross-sectional based on a diagnostic survey. Data was gathered on respondents' sex, age, education, marital status, occupational status and financial situation as well as their quality of life and perceived health condition. Frequencies (f) and relative frequencies (rf) of categories of dependent and independent variables were determined. The chi-squared test (χ2) and odds ratio (OR) statistics were applied. The level of statistical significance was set at α = .05. RESULTS: A stochastic dependence (p ≤ .05) between marital status and perceived health condition and quality of life in the social domain was found among the respondents. Male sex, higher education, being an entrepreneur, college student or white-collar worker, and good financial status were associated with the highest assessments of quality of life and perceived health condition. The directions of quality of life modifications determined by socioeconomic status were similar in single and married urban respondents; however, the strength of these modifications was greater in the latter. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended to target respondents with public health programs aimed at lifestyle improvement, tailored to the needs of single and married individuals. Public policies directed at improving education and material situation of respondents are also worth considering, as they may be essential for modeling their quality of life. In addition, research on quality of life should be continued, which is particularly relevant in a pandemic situation.

Physical activity and socio-economic status of single and married urban adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Changing family models have resulted in a large increase in the number of single-person households. This phenomenon has certain implications for society and the economy as single people often exhibit different behaviours, including their engagement in health-related physical activity, than those who are married and living with partners. However, the results of studies on determinants of physical activity in people of different marital status have been inconclusive. The aim of this study was to identify associations between physical activity and socioeconomic status in single and married urban adults. METHODS: The study material consisted of 4,460 persons (1,828 single and 2,632 married and living with partners). A cross-sectional study was conducted in Wroclaw (Poland). A diagnostic survey-direct interview method was used. Two research tools were applied: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Socioeconomic Status Questionnaire (S-ESQ). The level of respondents' physical activity was assessed following WHO recommendations. The descriptive statistics included the number and frequency of categories of dependent and independent variables as well as measures of association between them, i.e., crude and adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS: The odds ratio of meeting the WHO physical activity recommendations was almost 70% higher in single than in married respondents (OR = 1.67; CI [1.46-2.19]), and slightly more than 40% higher after adjusting for sex, age and education (aOR = 1.42; CI [1.21-1.67]). In both groups socioeconomic the respondents' status revealed a significant and slightly different association with their levels of physical activity. Occupational status and financial savings significantly affected the level of physical activity in single respondents, while net disposable income was a significant modifier of physical activity levels in respondents who were married or lived with their partners. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of the levels and determinants of physical activity among people of different marital status should be continued and extended to other subpopulations. This will allow effective preventive and therapeutic measures to be taken for groups most at risk of hypokinesia. Programs aimed at improving physical activity accounting for the socioeconomic status and marital status of their beneficiaries are particularly important.

Socioeconomic Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life of Entrepreneurs. A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life is one of the most important conceptual categories in many scientific fields and socio-economic practices. In the authors' opinion, the assessment of the overall quality of life and the health-related quality of life of private entrepreneurs deserves particular attention. Until now, quality of life and its determinants in entrepreneurs have been investigated by few authors. The aim of this study was to identify and assess the key determinants of quality of life and its health-related aspects in entrepreneurs from Wroclaw, Poland. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was carried out in a group of 616 entrepreneurs selected from among 4332 individuals (2276 women, 2056 men) who had participated in a study on the socioeconomic determinants of quality of life and physical activity of Wroclaw residents of working age. The main research method was a diagnostic survey using S-ES and WHOQOL BREF questionnaires. Information was obtained on respondents' quality of life and perceived health condition, as well as sex, age, education, marital status, number of people in the household, income per capita, savings, and indebtedness. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis using numerical distribution, medians, and quartile deviation. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were used to assess relationships between entrepreneurs' quality of life and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Over 66% of Wroclaw entrepreneurs rated their overall quality of life as average or above average and about 34% as below average. An average or above assessment of perceived health condition was provided by 71% of respondents, and below average by 29% of respondents. Health-related quality of life was assessed as average or above average in the environmental domain by 79%, physical domain by 77%, social domain by 65%, and psychological domain by 58% of the entrepreneurs. Among the respondents significant correlations were found between quality of life and perceived health condition; family status, i.e., marital status; number of persons in the household; and financial status, i.e., per capita income, savings, and debt. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can be used for managing the quality of life of entrepreneurs. Quality of life determinants should be constantly updated, as they may change along with further economic development and Poland's economic convergence with better developed EU countries.

Demographic and Socioeconomic Determinants of Body Mass Index in People of Working Age.

Obesity is currently the most common metabolic disease, causing numerous health problems and, if untreated, leading to premature mortality. Obesity is a significant issue among people of working age since their ability to work depends directly on their health condition and psychomotor fitness. Demographic and socioeconomic factors have a significant impact on the body weight of people of working age. The aim of this study is to identify relationships between the body mass index and selected demographic and socioeconomic variables in working-age residents of the city of Wroclaw, Poland. The study involved 4315 respondents (2206 women and 2109 men) aged 18-64 years from Wroclaw. The sample selection was random and purposive, using multilevel stratification. The applied research tool was the authors' own cross-sectional diagnostic questionnaire of socioeconomic status. Based on the collected data, the respondents' body weight was categorized according to WHO criteria. The majority of respondents (60%) had a normal body weight, while 40% were categorized as overweight or obese. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Sex, age, occupational status, marital status, number of people in the household, having a steady source of income, disposable (net) income, and savings were significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with respondents' body mass index. Public health programs aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors should be addressed primarily to groups at the highest risk of overweight and obesity.

Vibroarthrographic analysis of patellofemoral joint arthrokinematics during squats with increasing external loads.

BACKGROUND: The patellofemoral joint (PFJ) provides extremely low kinetic friction, which results in optimal arthrokinematic motion quality. Previous research showed that these friction-reducing properties may be diminished due to the increase in articular contact forces. However, this phenomenon has not been analyzed in vivo during functional daily-living activities. The aim of this study was the vibroarthrographic assessment of changes in PFJ arthrokinematics during squats with variated loads. METHODS: 114 knees from 57 asymptomatic subjects (23 females and 34 males) whose ages ranged from 19 to 26 years were enrolled in this study. Participants were asked to perform 3 trials: 4 repetitions of bodyweight squats (L0), 4 repetitions of 10 kg barbell back loaded squats (L10), 4 repetitions of 20 kg barbell back loaded squats (L20). During the unloaded and loaded (L10, L20) squats, vibroarthrographic signals were collected using an accelerometer placed on the patella and were described by the following parameters: variation of mean square (VMS), mean range (R4), and power spectral density for frequency of 50-250 Hz (P1) and 250-450 Hz (P2). RESULTS: Obtained results showed that the lowest values were noted in the unloaded condition and that the increased applied loads had a significant concomitant increase in all the aforementioned parameters bilaterally (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This phenomenon indicates that the application of increasing knee loads during squats corresponds to higher intensity of vibroacoustic emission, which might be related to higher contact stress and kinetic friction as well as diminished arthrokinematic motion quality.

Sociodemographic Associations of Physical Activity in People of Working Age.

The aim of this study was to identify relationships between the physical activity and sociodemographic status of respondents aged 18-64 years. The research was conducted in 2014 and 2015 in Wroclaw, Poland. The study group comprised 4460 people. The sample selection was random and stratified. The research tool was the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Levels of physical activity declared by respondents were compared with the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Data on respondents' sociodemographic status was also obtained. The Mann-Whitney U test for samples, Kruskal-Wallis test by ranks, and total and binary logistic regression were used in statistical analysis. Among the respondents, the ACSM health recommendations were met by 43.7% in total (43.2% women and 44.3% men). All analyzed sociodemographic variables differentiated respondents' physical activity. The youngest respondents were found to be the most physically active. Wroclaw residents with a secondary education declared the highest level of physical activity. Among the respondents, manual workers revealed the highest, and the unemployed the lowest odds of meeting the ACSM standards of health-related physical activity. The level of physical activity of unmarried respondents was higher than that of married respondents. The highest percentage of respondents (50.9% women and 54.2% men) with sufficient physical activity levels was found among people living alone. Measures aimed at reducing hypokinesia should be addressed primarily in vulnerable groups, i.e., the unemployed and oldest men.

Physical Activity of Working-Age People in View of Their Income Status.

OBJECTIVE: The study examines relationships between physical activity levels and income status of working-age city residents. METHODS: The study was carried out in the years 2014 and 2015 in Wroclaw, Poland. The study sample comprised 4332 participants (2276 women; 2056 men) aged 18 to 64 years. Respondents' habitual physical activity levels were measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), while their income status was assessed with author's own Socio-Economic Status of Working-Age People Questionnaire (S-ESQ). RESULTS: The results revealed positive correlations between the level of physical activity and income status of male and female working-age residents of Wroclaw. The highest physical activity levels were noted among respondents with a steady income, as well as among respondents with the highest income and savings and with no debts. The odds for respondents' above average physical activity levels were the greatest in women with the highest income and with savings and in debt-free men and women. CONCLUSION: Effective actions should be developed aimed at improvement of physical activity levels of people in an adverse financial situation.

Physical activity of Katowice urban area inhabitants with regard to selected physical traits and social factors

Background: Modern research of health determinants and health-related behavior patterns places a particular emphasis on the assessment of physical activity levels in various social and professional groups. The deficit of physical activity has become a common cause of serious diseases. Following the ecological model of health behavior, physical activity as a biological and cultural phenomenon can be indirectly modified by such interpersonal factors as age, sex, somatic traits and education. Objectives: The aim of the present study was the identification and assessment of habitual physical activity of adult inhabitants from the Katowice Urban Area with regard to selected physical traits and social determinants. Material and methods: The study was carried out in the Katowice Urban Area in May and June, 2012-2014. The research material comprised 2,173 inhabitants, including 1,017 women and 1,156 men, aged 30 to 65 years. The respondents' habitual physical activity was assessed with the use of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Version (IPAQ-SF). The obtained data on the respondents' physical activity were compared with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommendations Results: The results of the study showed that the frequency and duration of high-intensity physical activity and duration of moderate-intensity physical activity were significantly greater in the male inhabitants. The age was also a significant factor affecting the levels of high-intensity physical activity in men. Body build was not a significant determinant of the frequency and duration of physical activity in both men and women from Katowice. The education level only affected the level of physical activity in men. Sex, age, and education of the respondents were statistically significant determinants of their level of fulfilment of the ACSM recommendations. Conclusions: Propagation of physical activity among adults and the elderly, and women in particular, remains a continuing challenge facing health promotion professionals.

Physical Activity as a Determinant of Quality of Life in Working-Age People in Wroclaw, Poland.

Regular physical activity can greatly contribute to the improvement of physical fitness and performance, reduction of the incidence risk of some occupational diseases, and as a consequence, to a general improvement of quality of life in terms of health status. The aim of the article was to assess relationships between the quality of life and physical activity of a working-age population. The study material comprised 4460 residents of the city of Wroclaw, Poland (2129 men, 2331 women) aged 18-64 years. The study was a questionnaire survey using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaires. The highest levels of overall quality of life and its four particular domains (physical, psychological, social, and environmental), as well as perceived health conditions were found among the most physically active respondents. Furthermore, the odds of high assessment of perceived overall quality of life were shown to increase with the increasing levels of physical activity. Activities aimed at the improvement of the quality of life of working-age people should involve programs enhancing the development of physical activity.

Quality of life and physical activity in an older working-age population.

OBJECTIVE: Physical activity can be an effective means of prevention and therapy of many psychosomatic disorders. It can also have a significant impact on the quality of life of older working-age people. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationships between quality of life and physical activity in older working-age people from Wroclaw, Poland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 1,013 people, including 565 women and 448 men, aged 55-64 years (59.1±2.9 years). The study took form of a questionnaire survey. The participants assessed their physical activity and quality of life using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Version (IPAQ-SF) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. RESULTS: The highest mean indices of general quality of life, perceived health status, and quality of life in the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains were shown by respondents whose intensity of physical activity was the highest. Moreover, the odds of high assessment of overall quality of life increased with respondents' higher levels of physical activity. CONCLUSION: Quality of life improvement programs should also involve increased physical activity components.

Physical activity of men from Wroclaw compared with their discretionary income.

[Purpose] This paper attempted to determine the relationship between physical activity of men from Wroclaw and their discretionary income. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 1,601 male survey respondents aged from 18 to 65 years old. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used for the assessment of physical activity. [Results] Among respondents, low intensity physical activity was predominant. The level of physical activity of the respondents increased with their discretionary income. Statistically significant differences were observed between activities of low and high intensity and total activities in Wroclaw. [Conclusion] Discretionary income seems to be better predictor of physical activity than gross income, however, this should be verified in future research.

Physical activity among working age residents of Wroclaw in the light of their educational attainment.

[Purpose] This article attempts to define the relationship between physical activity and educational attainment of working-age adults from Wroclaw. [Subjects and Methods] The study surveyed 2,174 participants aged 18-64 years, 984 men and 1,190 women. To evaluate their physical activity, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used. [Results] Most of the participants performed low-intensity levels of physical activity. Men were characterized by generally higher physical activity than women, but the difference was not significant. The level of educational attainment differentiated physical activity only in women with secondary or higher education, who performed significantly more physical activities than those with primary and vocational education. [Conclusion] Further research in this subject area should be performed. It should be continuous and consider other methods and techniques.

[Physical activity of adult residents of Katowice and selected determinants of their occupational status and socio-economic characteristics]. / Aktywnosc fizyczna doroslych mieszkanców Katowic a wybrane uwarunkowania zawodowe i spoleczno-ekonomiczne.

BACKGROUND: The issue of physical activity (PA) is often addressed in the literature, but its socio-economic determinants are fully recognized. To date no studies of the adult population of Katowice have been carried out. Research in this area is of great importance in the context of the documented influence of PA on health and extension of retirement age in Poland. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between PA and socio-economic status of adult residents of Katowice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study carried out in 2010 comprised 2053 people (987 women and 1066 men) aged 30-65 years. To evaluate PA in the study group the diagnostic survey method and a research tool in the form of an abridged version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), with specification expanded by the authors, were used. In the statistical analysis logistic regression was employed. RESULTS: The likelihood of meeting the standards of health-enhancing PA was higher in men than in women and it decreased with age and education level of the respondents. The highest proportion of those meeting the recommendation of health-enhancing PA was observed among blue-collar workers, operators, teachers, police and soldiers. The lowest probability of meeting the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine was found among economists and lawyers, office workers, the unemployed, managers, and engineers, pensioners and health care professionals. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates the correlation between PA and socio-economic status of the respondents. The analysis of the results indicates the necessity to promote PA programs mainly among women, the elderly, the unemployed, pensioners and representatives of professions, such as economists, lawyers, managers, engineers, and health professionals.

Motor development of children and adolescents aged 8-16 years in view of their somatic build and objective quality of life of their families.

The differences in human motor development are determined by predispositions and living conditions. The aim of the present study was to examine relationships between motor fitness of children and adolescents aged 8-16 years (277 boys and 247 girls), and their somatic build and quality of life of their families. Body height, body mass and skinfold thickness were measured. On the basis of these measurements body mass index (BMI), Rohrer's index and lean body mass (LBM) were calculated. The subjects' physical fitness was also assessed with motor tests: speed of arm movement (plate tapping), agility (10 x 5 m shuttle run), explosive strength of the legs (standing broad jump), trunk strength (situps), explosive strength of the trunk and shoulder girdle (1-kg medicine ball throw), and flexibility (sit and reach) regarded as a morpho-functional predisposition of motor abilities. The standing broad jump results were then used to calculate maximal anaerobic power (MPA). The examination was completed with a questionnaire survey of the children's parents concerning their families' quality of life. On the basis of the parents' answers to the questionnaire, two quality of life indices were constructed: objective quality of life index and subjective quality of life index. Due to the wide age bracket of subjects the sample was divided into two age groups: 8-12 and 13-16-year-olds. The relationships between subjects' motor development, somatic traits and their families' quality of life were examined with the use of multivariate comparative analysis. The level of motor development of studied children was more strongly determined by their somatic build than the quality of life of their families. The most important somatic determinants of the subjects' motor abilities were body height and subcutaneous adiposity. These determinants primarily affected speed and strength abilities of younger school children. Objective quality of life of children's families determined the development of some strength abilities in children aged 8-12 years. No correlations between the subjects' motor development and subjective quality of life of their families were found.