The Effect of Physical Activity Level on Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Quality of Life: The Case of Sedentary Female Health Workers

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of physical activity levels on body composition, physical fitness, and health-related quality of life in sedentary female healthcare workers. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The sample consisted of 97 female healthcare workers employed at a private hospital in Istanbul. Physical activity levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), quality of life with the WHOQOL-BREF, body composition through Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), and physical fitness with sit-up, sit-and-reach flexibility, and handgrip strength tests. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The average BMI of participants was 25.23 ± 5.25, with 39.6% classified as having low physical activity levels. Participants with a BMI below 25 scored significantly higher in the physical and environmental domains of quality of life. Although those with normal BMI performed better in fitness tests, the differences were not statistically significant. Flexibility was positively correlated with weight, fat mass, and BMI, and negatively correlated with body fat percentage. Conclusion: High BMI and body fat percentage negatively affect physical fitness and quality of life in sedentary female health workers. Promoting physical activity in the workplace is essential for improving individual well-being, work productivity, and public health.

Keywords

• Physical activity level
• Body composition
• Physical fitness
• Quality of life
• Sedentary women

Vücut Kompozisyonu, Fiziksel Uygunluk ve Yaşam Kalitesi Üzerine Fiziksel Aktivite Düzeyinin Etkisi: Sedanter Kadın Sağlık Çalışanları Örneği

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, sedanter yaşam tarzına sahip kadın sağlık çalışanlarında fiziksel aktivite düzeylerinin vücut kompozisyonu, fiziksel uygunluk ve sağlıkla ilişkili yaşam kalitesi üzerindeki etkilerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı-kesitsel desende yürütülen çalışmada, İstanbul'daki özel bir hastanede görev yapan 97 kadın sağlık çalışanı değerlendirilmiştir. Fiziksel aktivite düzeyi Uluslararası Fiziksel Aktivite Anketi (IPAQ) ile, yaşam kalitesi WHOQOL-BREF, vücut kompozisyonu Biyoelektrik Empedans Analizi (BIA) yöntemiyle ve fiziksel uygunluk düzeyi mekik, otur-uzan esneklik ve el kavrama kuvveti testleriyle ölçülmüştür. Veriler tanımlayıcı istatistikler, t-testi ve Pearson korelasyon analizi ile değerlendirilmiştir (p<0.05). Bulgular: Katılımcıların ortalama VKİ’si 25,23 ± 5,25 olup, %39,6’sının fiziksel aktivite düzeyi düşük olarak sınıflandırılmıştır. VKİ’si 25’in altında olan bireylerde fiziksel ve çevresel yaşam kalitesi puanları anlamlı şekilde daha yüksektir. Fiziksel uygunluk testlerinde normal VKİ grubunun daha iyi performans sergilediği gözlenmiş, ancak bu farklar istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmamıştır. Esneklik ile ağırlık, yağ kütlesi ve VKİ arasında pozitif; vücut yağ oranı ile negatif yönlü ilişkiler saptanmıştır. Sonuç: Sedanter kadın sağlık çalışanlarında yüksek VKİ ve vücut yağ oranı, fiziksel uygunluk ve yaşam kalitesini olumsuz etkilemektedir. İş ortamlarında fiziksel aktivitenin artırılması hem bireysel sağlık hem de iş verimliliği açısından önem taşımaktadır.

Keywords

• Fiziksel aktivite düzeyi
• Vücut kompozisyonu
• Fiziksel uygunluk
• Yaşam kalitesi
• Sedanter kadınlar

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