HABITUAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

There are many scientific evidences linking physical activity to numerous health improvements and substantial benefits that can be gained. The aim of this study is to establish the level of habitual physical activity in elementary school teachers. The sample comprises 147 female teachers working with children in the first four classes in elementary schools. The teachers were from 3 different European countries: Croatia (N=33), Slovenia (N=64) and Norway (N=50). The level of their habitual physical activity was determined by Baecke questionnaire. Three indices were calculated: sport index, work index and leisure index. The obtained data were analysed by standard statistical procedures, with statistical software package STATISTICA for Windows. Basic descriptive statistical parameters - arithmetic mean and standard deviation were calculated for the whole sample and for the sub samples from different countries. The significance of the calculated differences for each index (WI, SI, and LI) between groups was checked by use of West. Compared to average employed female population of the same age teachers have higher values of all indices. In comparison with average employed population teachers are more involved in sport and they are also more active in their leisure time. Significantly higher value of sport activity level was observed in Norway teachers who also had the greatest leisure time index.