The effects of the physical activity levels on the life quality of the teachers working in primary education

This study aimed to determine the physical activity levels of teachers working in primary education institutions and to reveal the relationship between physical activity levels and quality of life. The population of the study was 572 teachers working in 31 primary education institutions in the districts of Kastamonu, Merkez, Daday, Pınarbaşı, Azdavay, Seydiler, Tosya, Ağlı, Abana, Araç, Cide, Küre, İnebolu, Taşköprü, Bozkurt and Doğanyurt, and the sample was consists of 320 volunteer teachers. The data related to the physical activity variable of the study were obtained from the "International Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ Short Form - International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form)", the data related to the quality of life variable "The Quality of Life Scale SF-36" and the data about the socio-demographic information "Personal Information Form "was obtained with. The questionnaire form used in the study was administered by the researcher to 320 people personally between 20.02.2020-10.03.2020. The data obtained at the end of the survey were analyzed with IBM SPSS statistics 22.0 program. When the findings were evaluated in the study, a significant relationship was observed between physical activity and marital status, age and body mass index (p< 0.05). Accordingly, single; It was observed that the physical activity levels of the teachers under the age of 25, in the 25-29 age group and in the normal weight group were higher (Table 7). In the study, a significant relationship was observed between the quality of physical function sub-scale, which is one of the quality of life subscales, and marital status, age, and body mass index (p< 0.05). Accordingly, single; Under 25 age group; It was observed that the physical function sub-dimension scores of the teachers in the underweight and normal weight groups were higher (Table 8). In the study, a significant relationship was observed between the pain sub-dimension, which is one of the quality of life subscales, and age, branch, and body mass index (p< 0.05). Accordingly, 35 and over age group; It was observed that the pain sub-dimension scores of the teachers in the branches of mathematics, music and visual arts and in the pre-obesity group were the lowest (Table 11). In the study, a significant relationship was observed between the mental health subscale, which is one of the quality of life subscales, and age and body mass index (p< 0.05). Accordingly, it was observed that the mental health sub-scores of the teachers under 25 and over 35, slightly obese and first stage obese were the lowest (Table 12). A significant relationship was observed between the emotional role limitations sub-dimension, which is one of the quality of life subscales, and age (p< 0.05). Accordingly, it was observed that the emotional role limitations sub-dimension scores of the teachers under the age of 25 were higher (Table 13). In the study, a significant relationship was observed between the energy subscale, one of the quality of life subscales, and the education level (p< 0.05). Accordingly, it has been observed that the energy sub-dimension scores of the teachers with undergraduate education level are higher. (Table 14). In the study, a significant relationship was observed between physical function, physical role limitations, social function, pain, mental health, energy and general perception of health sub-dimensions of the quality of life assessment questionnaire and physical activity levels (p< 0.05). Accordingly, as the physical activity levels of the teachers increased, the scores they got from the physical function, pain and mental health sub-dimensions also increased; The scores obtained from the social function sub-dimension are higher in teachers who have very active physical activity level; It was observed that the scores obtained from the sub-dimensions of physical role limitations, energy and general perception of health were lower for teachers with inactive activity levels (Table 16) As suggestions we can give according to the inferences of the research; seminars should be organized by the Ministry of National Education through various experts to inform our teachers about the field of physical activity; In schools, places where teachers can do physical activity should be established by the school administration; Financial incentives should be provided by the Ministry of National Education for teachers to actively use sports halls. Keywords: Physical Activity, Physical Activity Level, Quality of Life.