Correlations of Physical Activity and Psychosomatic Complaints of 10–15-Year-Old Schoolchildren

Abstract

Research  background  and  hypothesis.  The  society  is  concerned  not  only  about  worsening  student  health,
but also medically unexplainable psychosomatic complaints which can be the risk factor for various health and
behavioural problems (WHO, 2006).
Research aim was to determine the dependence of psychosomatic complaints experienced by 10–15-year-old
students on their physical activity, age and gender.
Research methods. With reference to the international questionnaire of student health and lifestyle (WHO,
2006), a questionnaire containing 31 questions was constructed for the research. Its answers about physical activity
were coded from 1 – never to 5, 7, 8 – different variants of often. The questionnaire survey was conducted in
February, 2012, in two schools of Kaunas city. The research participants were 293 V–VIII-grade 10–15-year-old
students. The answers were analysed with reference to students’ physical activity, age and gender.
Research  results.  Most  respondents  were  moderately  or  intensively  physically  active:  more  of  them  were
younger (10–12 years) than older (13–15 years), and there were more boys than girls. The students often exercised
and did sports individually. Health self-assessment as good or even perfect was demonstrated by most physically
active students. During the last 6 months they more rarely felt various psychosomatic complaints, especially related
to negative emotions. Students of low physical activity felt more various psychosomatic complaints.
Conclusion. Physically more active students rarely experienced psychosomatic complaints, which show that
physical activity is a significant factor reducing negative psychosomatic emotions.

Keywords: schoolchildren’s physical activity, health self-assessment, psychosomatic complaints.