[Physical activity of top level managers in the context of the public health recommendations].

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the work was to assess weekly, habitual physical activity of high-ranking managers, aged 28-63. The research question was formulated as follows: What percentage of surveyed professional workers met the criteria for health-recommended physical activity?

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research involved 123 top level managers divided into three age groups: 28-39, 40-49 and 50-63 years. Physical activity was measured using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The volume of different levels of physical activity was calculated in units of MET min/wk. The percentage of managers meeting various criteria (IPAQ, Paffenbarger's recommendations, American College and Sport Medicine and WHO recommendations) for physical activity was calculated.

RESULTS

the average total volume of weekly physical activity was 2189.39 +/- 1201.44 MET min/wk. Public health recommendations for adults issued by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association were met by only 27% of managers.

CONCLUSIONS

Manager's average frequency of participation in moderate and vigorous physical activity is lower than recommended. There is a need to institute programs to promote healthy behavior (especially physical activity) among high-ranking professional workers.