Physical Activity of Male and Female University Students …
91
Table 6 Physical activity levels depending on the gender of male and female university students
from Wrocław
Dependent variables Independent
variables
B
SE
χ 2
p
OR
CI
−95% 95%
LR = 14.64, df = 2, p = 0.001
High versus low
Intercept
1.51 0.16 85.76
<0.001 –
–
–
Men versus
women
1.32 0.42
9.73
0.002 3.73 1.63
8.52
Moderate versus low Intercept
1.40 0.16 72.62
<0.001 –
–
–
men versus
women
0.91 0.43
4.54
0.033 2.50 1.08
5.78
Notes B—assessment value of model parameters, SE—standard error B, χ 2 —chi-squared Wald
test, p—chi-squared Wald test probability value, OR—odds ratio, CI—confidence interval for OR
As far as the university students from Wrocław were concerned, high and
moderate, rather than low levels of physical activity, were noted more often in men
than in women. The results of previous studies also indicated higher physical activity
levels on average in men than in women. A study by Drygas et al. (2013) conducted
on a representative sample of adult Poles shows that men were more likely to undertake physical activity than women. A survey conducted by Biernat (2015) on the
Warsaw population revealed that men more often than women also fulfilled physical
activity recommendations formulated by the World Health Organization. Gerovasili
et al. (2015) made similar observations with respect to adult residents of all EU countries. In their research, men not only complied with WHO guidelines more often,
but also undertook physical activity of vigorous intensity significantly more often
than women. Similar conclusions regarding gender differences in physical activity
can be drawn by analyzing the results of studies conducted among representatives
of the German (Schneider and Becker 2005), Finnish (Seiluri et al. 2011), and US
populations (Choi et al. 2010). In the case of the respondents from Wrocław, the fact
that the surveyed women were on average older and less educated than the surveyed
men was probably also significant. The statistically significant impact of age and
education on physical activity has also been well documented (Choi et al. 2010).
However, a more detailed analysis of individual physical activity characteristics
showed that gender differences were noted only in the case of moderate physical
activity. Significant differences between men and women were not observed in the
case of high and low intensity physical activity. Azevedo et al. (2007) in a study
of young Brazilians found that, although men are more physically active in their
leisure time, the overall level of physical activity is similar for both genders. Men
were more likely to be physically active in their leisure time, while women were more
active while commuting or performing household chores. Blanksby et al. (2006) also
claim that men participate more often in non-organized forms of physical activity,
competitive sports, and intensive sport and recreational activities. On the other hand,
organized sports, and health and fitness activities of light and moderate intensity and
91
Table 6 Physical activity levels depending on the gender of male and female university students
from Wrocław
Dependent variables Independent
variables
B
SE
χ 2
p
OR
CI
−95% 95%
LR = 14.64, df = 2, p = 0.001
High versus low
Intercept
1.51 0.16 85.76
<0.001 –
–
–
Men versus
women
1.32 0.42
9.73
0.002 3.73 1.63
8.52
Moderate versus low Intercept
1.40 0.16 72.62
<0.001 –
–
–
men versus
women
0.91 0.43
4.54
0.033 2.50 1.08
5.78
Notes B—assessment value of model parameters, SE—standard error B, χ 2 —chi-squared Wald
test, p—chi-squared Wald test probability value, OR—odds ratio, CI—confidence interval for OR
As far as the university students from Wrocław were concerned, high and
moderate, rather than low levels of physical activity, were noted more often in men
than in women. The results of previous studies also indicated higher physical activity
levels on average in men than in women. A study by Drygas et al. (2013) conducted
on a representative sample of adult Poles shows that men were more likely to undertake physical activity than women. A survey conducted by Biernat (2015) on the
Warsaw population revealed that men more often than women also fulfilled physical
activity recommendations formulated by the World Health Organization. Gerovasili
et al. (2015) made similar observations with respect to adult residents of all EU countries. In their research, men not only complied with WHO guidelines more often,
but also undertook physical activity of vigorous intensity significantly more often
than women. Similar conclusions regarding gender differences in physical activity
can be drawn by analyzing the results of studies conducted among representatives
of the German (Schneider and Becker 2005), Finnish (Seiluri et al. 2011), and US
populations (Choi et al. 2010). In the case of the respondents from Wrocław, the fact
that the surveyed women were on average older and less educated than the surveyed
men was probably also significant. The statistically significant impact of age and
education on physical activity has also been well documented (Choi et al. 2010).
However, a more detailed analysis of individual physical activity characteristics
showed that gender differences were noted only in the case of moderate physical
activity. Significant differences between men and women were not observed in the
case of high and low intensity physical activity. Azevedo et al. (2007) in a study
of young Brazilians found that, although men are more physically active in their
leisure time, the overall level of physical activity is similar for both genders. Men
were more likely to be physically active in their leisure time, while women were more
active while commuting or performing household chores. Blanksby et al. (2006) also
claim that men participate more often in non-organized forms of physical activity,
competitive sports, and intensive sport and recreational activities. On the other hand,
organized sports, and health and fitness activities of light and moderate intensity and