Physical activity in physiotherapy and physical education high school students

A term of health-related physical fitness became topical with four its components: aerobic and/or cardiovascular fitness, body composition, abdominal muscle strength and endurance, and lower back and hamstring flexibility. Complex evaluation of health-related physical fitness and physical activity (PA) may show a wider insight in health promotion and disease prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate physical activity relation to health-related physical fitness in Physiotherapy (PT) and Physical Education (PE) students. Final study sample consisted of 67 students (46 women and 21 men) (aged 21.61 +/- 0.71). All participants filled in International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Health-related physical testing included: 1) body composition evaluation, 2) abdominal muscles strength tests, 3) dynamometry, 4) hamstring muscles and m. quadratus lumborum elasticity evaluation tests, 5) bicycle ergometer test (anaerobic threshold, maximal oxygen consumption). Results showed that most students had normal body composition parameters (BMI, body fat, muscle mass, body water) in both genders and study programs. Women were less physically active that men, and PA duration was higher in PE students. PT students had higher body composition values, lower cardiorespiratory fitness parameters and lower handgrip strength in both hands than PE students. Greater PA generally implies a higher level of health-related physical fitness. PA significantly positively affects body composition, upper m. rectus abdominis strength, grip strength and aerobic capacity.