The interaction of physical activity, joy of movement and quality of life of high school students at different ages

Introduction: The paper presents the results of the interaction analysis between physical activity (PA), joy of movement (PACES) and areas of quality of life (SQUALA) of high school students with different levels of sport performance and different ages. These factors have wider background. Phenomenon of the subjective assessment “PACES” is stepping to the foreground. “PACES” proves high frequency of interactions with the areas of SQUALA, more than a single volume of PA. Despite of enough PA in week and high level of PACES, no expected interactions with areas of SQUALA in high school students were demonstrated. The low number of positive interactions points to the necessity of monitoring this construct, also in the relation to gender, to different sports level, type of school, region, country and age. Material and Methods: The survey was attended by 16–19 years old (n = 1302) high school students. The quality of life was examined through SQUALA questionnaire, enjoyment of physical activities by the PACES questionnaire and the level of physical activity in hours per week (PAQ) and by sport level. The data are presented by the descriptive characteristics and statistical significance of the differences, respectively the interactions were evaluated by nonparametric methods. Results: The interactions between PA, PACES and SQUALA in high school students with different sports level with different ages have been proven very sporadically. Positive correlations of PA with areas of SQUALA prevails in 18 and 19 years old students. The joy of movement correlates with spiritual well-being in groups of students who carry out the physical activities occasionally and regularly. Positive interactions of joy of movement with physical well-being have not been proven. Negative interactions between the PA, PACES and SQUALA prevails between 16 and 17 years old students. Conclusion: The higher age factor and factor of the regular movement in high school students appears to be very important in this study. The results reaffirm the importance of voluntary and organized physical activities which have potential to raise the level of the joy from the movement in life of high school students.