engleski

Subjective well-being and somatic symptoms in regard of level and reasons for physical activity in middle age women

The popular belief that physical activity promotes subjective well-being is documented in many research studies. One of the limitations of these studies is that physical activity is usually treated as dichotomous variable without considering number and duration of various physical activities. The aim of this study was to explore differences in life satisfaction, positive and negative affect and somatic symptoms in regard to level of involvement and reasons for physical activity. Participants in this investigation were 165 women, age from 33 through 69. According to the reported number of different physical activities (exercise, fitness, dance, walking and various group sports etc.) and time spent in these activities, five categories of physical activity involvement were defined, from inactivity through more than five hours of weekly activities. Women not involved in physical activity reported statistically less positive affect than those who spent more than two hours in physical activity. Regardless of age, life satisfaction was the least in inactive women and the highest in group of women who were physical active from two to five hours weekly. Effect of physical activity level was significant only for respiratory symptoms. Women involved in more than five hours of physical activity weekly have more respiratory infection symptoms than those who are less active. These results support the idea of optimal level of physical activity. The most reported reasons for physical activity in group of physically active women were health, mood improvement, relaxation and fitness. The least life satisfaction was found among almost twenty percent of physically active women who didn't have clear motive for the activity. This study has provided evidence for considering the reasons for physical activity and its level when the role of physical activity in subjective well-being is analyzed.

physical activity; life satisfaction; positive and negative affects; somatic symtoms

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