PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL OF INDIVIDUALS ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE AT CHARLES UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT
Abstract
The University of the Third Age curriculum at the Charles University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports is focused on educating and promoting active ageing and healthy lifestyle among older adults. Students of this program represent a specific group of older adults with a positive attitude towards physical activity, yet their regular movement regimen, which can be expressed as a level of physical activity, have not been sufficiently examined.
Therefore, the study aimed to determine the level of physical activity among first-year students attending the University of the Third Age with the use of a standardised questionnaire. Methods: 226 persons (187 women, 39 men) aged 52-81 years (average age 65 years) took part in this study.
The average BMI was 25.1 kg.m(-2) (range 17.6-37.6 kg.m(-2)). The short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity levels and was complemented with basic socio-demographic questions.
Results/Discussion: 173 respondents (average age 65 years) were highly active; 49 respondents (average age 64.5 years) reported a moderate level of physical activity; 4 respondents reported a low level of physical activity. With increasing age, respondents reported a higher level of physical activity.
Women reported 37 % higher volume of physical activity (6186 METmin/week) than men (4506 MET-min/week). The results showed that respondents in this study were more physically active than in similar studies and could be viewed as individuals with an active lifestyle.