Sažetak

Uvod: Tjelesna aktivnost ima ključnu ulogu u očuvanju zdravlja i prevenciji kroničnih bolesti, no njezina razina nije dovoljno istražena među fizioterapeutima, unatoč njihovoj važnoj ulozi u promicanju zdravih životnih navika. Cilj rada je procijeniti razinu tjelesne aktivnosti među fizioterapeutima na području Hrvatske primjenom Međunarodnog upitnika o tjelesnoj aktivnosti – kratka verzija (IPAQ-SF) te utvrditi postoje li razlike u razini tjelesne aktivnosti s obzirom na spol.

Metode: Provedeno je presječno istraživanje među zaposlenim fizioterapeutima u Republici Hrvatskoj na uzorku od 55 ispitanika putem anonimnog online upitnika. Prikupljeni su demografski i radni podaci te je razina tjelesne aktivnosti procijenjena pomoću validiranog IPAQ-SF upitnika, koji rezultate prikazuje kao kategorije ili u MET-minutama tjedno. Podaci su analizirani metodama deskriptivne i inferencijalne statistike. Ukupna tjelesna aktivnost izračunata je prema IPAQ-SF protokolu i izražena u MET-min/tjedan, a ispitanici su klasificirani prema razini tjelesne aktivnosti. Razlike između spolova analizirane su Mann–Whitney U testom uz razinu značajnosti p < 0,05.

Rezultati: Ispitanici su bili najaktivniji u hodanju, koje je bilo prisutno gotovo svakodnevno, dok je intenzivna tjelesna aktivnost bila rjeđe zastupljena. Medijan ukupne tjelesne aktivnosti iznosio je 5976 MET-min/tjedan. Prema IPAQ klasifikaciji, 78,2% ispitanika imalo je visoku, 12,7% umjerenu, a 9,1% nisku razinu tjelesne aktivnosti. Prosječno vrijeme provedeno sjedeći iznosilo je 297 minuta dnevno. Nisu utvrđene statistički značajne razlike u razini tjelesne aktivnosti prema spolu (p = 0,647).

Zaključak: Ispitanici su općenito bili tjelesno aktivni, uz istodobnu prisutnost značajnog vremena provedenog sjedeći. Nisu utvrđene statistički značajne razlike u razini tjelesne aktivnosti između muškaraca i žena.

Ključne riječi: fizioterapeut, javno zdravstvo, tjelesna aktivnost, zdravlje

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity plays a key role in maintaining health and preventing chronic diseases; however, its level has not been sufficiently investigated among physiotherapists despite their important role in promoting healthy lifestyle habits. The aim of this paper is to assess the level of physical activity among physiotherapists in Croatia using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and to determine whether differences in physical activity levels exist according to sex.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among employed physiotherapists in the Republic of Croatia on a sample of 55 participants using an anonymous online questionnaire. Demographic and work-related data were collected, and physical activity levels were assessed using the validated IPAQ-SF questionnaire, which presents results as categories or in MET-minutes per week. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Total physical activity was calculated according to the IPAQ-SF protocol and expressed in MET-min/week, and participants were classified according to their level of physical activity. Differences between sexes were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test, with the level of statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: Participants were most active in walking, which was performed almost daily, whereas vigorous physical activity was less frequent. The median total physical activity was 5,976 MET-min/week. According to the IPAQ classification, 78.2% of participants had a high level of physical activity, 12.7% had a moderate level, and 9.1% had a low level of physical activity. The average daily sitting time was 297 minutes. No statistically significant differences in physical activity levels were found between males and females (p = 0.647).

Conclusion: Participants were generally physically active, although considerable sedentary time was observed. No statistically significant differences in physical activity levels were found between males and females.

Keywords: physiotherapist, public health, physical activity, health