Fitness levels and exercise behaviour of cypriots aged 25-34 as preventive measures for one of the risk factors associated with heart disease : implications for health promotion

Kartakoullis, Nicos Louca (1999) Fitness levels and exercise behaviour of cypriots aged 25-34 as preventive measures for one of the risk factors associated with heart disease : implications for health promotion. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

Health statistics available in Cyprus suggest that heart disease is the major cause of death on the island. Physical activity and exercise participation constitute, according to research evidence, good preventive measures for one of the major risk factors associated with heart disease. Exercise and physical activity can have a positive outcome in the development of a healthier heart.

In view of the above, the major focus of this dissertation is on exercise and physical activity participation as a means of prevention of heart disease. The author decided to situate the problem/question under examination within the Precede-Proceed Model by Green and Kreuter (1991). In order for the author to be in a position to provide recommendations for health education/promotion programmes for exercise/physical activity promotion, it was important to examine the following issues in the target group: their fitness level; their physical activity patterns; and their knowledge and attitudes to exercise and physical activity (exercise behaviour).

For collecting the required data, the author employed a combination of research tools. Firstly, for the physical assessment, he used a simple four part fitness assessment/test. To examine physical activity patterns, he employed a structured interview with questionnaire and to collect qualitative data on knowledge and attitudes, he employed an in-depth interview and the focus group approach. The quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences and the qualitative data section was subjected to content analysis.

According to the findings of this research, in terms of overall fitness, females were fitter than males; and females were more likely to be regularly physically active. The major barriers to exercise and physical activity participation were the lack of free time and the lack of motivation. Other priorities are set by Cypriots, and exercise and physical activity participation is thus not important in the Cypriot's busy schedules.

The findings of this project were important and significant not only because this is the first type of such research conducted on the island, but because they had implications for how exercise and physical activity should be promoted through health education/promotion programmes on the island and helped set objectives in terms of the Precede-Proceed Model. These objectives and interventions have been identified and discussed.

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