Analysis of physiotherapists' exercise benefits/barriers perception, physical activity level and quality of life

The aim of this study is to determine exercise benefits/barriers perception, physical activity levels and quality of life among physiotherapists. In this study, individuals who graduated from the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Departments of the Faculties of Health Sciences or Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Schools, who were educated for 4 years in the universities of our country and who had the title of physiotherapist were included in the study. A total of 250 physiotherapists with a mean age of 30,3±6,77 years participated in the study. Participants' perception of exercise benefit and barriers was assessed using the "Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale", physical activity levels was assessed using the "International Physical Activity Questionnaire" and quality of life was assessed using the "SF-12v2 Quality of Life Questionnaire". The marital status of the participants is found to have an impact on the perception of exercise benefits, barriers and mental components of quality of life. The year of service and body mass index are also found to have a significant effect on the perception of exercise barriers. Physical activity levels were significantly higher in males than females (p<0,05). When the exercise benefits/barriers perception and physical activity levels were compared; it is found that there was a significant difference between exercise benefit perception and physical activity level (p<0,05), exercise barrier perception and physical activity level (p<0,05), total exercise benefits/barriers perception and physical activity level. When the physical activity levels and quality of life were compared; there was a significant difference between physical activity levels and physical components of quality of life (p<0,05). It seemed that there was no significant difference between exercise benefits/barriers perception and quality of life (p>0,05). As a result of the study; It was observed that physiotherapists with high perception of exercise benefit had higher participation in physical activity and physical activity level had a positive effect on quality of life. Key words: Exercise, benefit-barrier, physiotherapist, quality of life, physical activity.