Relationship between self-rated health, sense of coherence and physical activity in a survey of secondary school students: A correlational study

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the present research was to assess the physical activity of secondary school students and to understand its effect on subjective general health, vitality and mental health. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents aged 15–19 ( n  = 448) years attending a full-time secondary school. The paper-based questionnaire included self-reported questions on physical activity in addition to socio-demographic variables, while the standardised instrument measured dimensions of subjective health (Health Thermometer - EuroQol scale, EQ VAS, Health Survey Short Form SF-36 Questionnaire) and Sense of Coherence (SOC 13). The amount of physical activity was adequate for 22.2%. Regular physical activity had a positive effect on self-reported health perception ( p  < 0.05). The mean scores for mental health, vitality and general health perception were significantly higher among students who were adequately or nearly adequately physically active ( p  < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between sense of coherence and frequency of physical activity ( p  < 0.05). The means of the self-reported health indicators and the sense of coherence were almost identical between the groups ( p  > 0.05). The sense of coherence plays a role in the changes in the regularity of physical activity, and a linear stochastic relationship between the variables was demonstrated.