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Self-related health, physical activity and complaints in Swedish high school students
Scientific World Journal. 2006; 6:816-826
Dummy photo Marie Alricsson
IHV ÖSD

Publication type:
Article in journal

Permanent link (URI):
http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-4157

ISSN:
1537-744X

Abstract:

The aim of this investigation was to study self-related health, physical activity and level of exertion, as well as body complaints in Swedish high school students. A total of 993 high school students aged 16–19 years participated in the study. A questionnaire was completed at school and included questions about self-related health, physical activity behavior, type of physical activity/sport, intensity, duration, possible injuries or complaints, and absence from physical training at school, during the last 3 months. The results showed that 26% of the high school students participated in sports on a regular basis. Males reported significantly better health than females (p < 0.0005). A significantly higher number of females participated in physical activities at a lower level of effort (p < 0.0005) and a higher number of males trained at a higher level of effort (p < 0.005). Sixty-one percent reported body pain during the last 3 months, representing a higher number of females than males (p = 0.03). A higher number of females than males reported complaints from the back (p = 0.002), the knees (p = 0.015), the neck (p = 0.001), and the hip (p = 0.015). Females with body complaints reported poorer health than those without complaints. There was a correlation between poor self-related health and a lower level of physical effort (0.219; p < 0.001). The results showed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was high in this population and demonstrated a certain association with self-related health. Therefore, it is important to make it easy for adolescents to perform physical activity at school and during their leisure time in order to prevent chronic diseases.




Authors:
Alricsson M, Landstad B, Romild U, Werner S

Internal co-authors:
Bodil Johanne Landstad

Research fields:
Gemensamt/övrigt
Vårdvetenskap

Thematic areas:
The Challenges of the Welfare State