Sporting habits of university students in Hungary

Background: Material and methods: Results: Conclusions: ‪As physical activity, health, and the quality of life are strongly related. Leisure habits of students of the University of Debrecen, Hungary, were assessed in a recent survey. The survey used both online and offline (written) questionnaires. In the survey sport was defined as a physical activity outside of compulsory Physical Education (PE) classes that lasts for at least half an hour. In the questionnaire the background characteristics were profession, age, body weight, height, gender, and whether the student has compulsory PE classes. ‪Altogether 857 students from all faculties of the University completed the survey. 60.4% of the respondents were females and 39.6% males; their average age was 21.5±2.7 (mean ± SD) years. Thirty-seven percent of them participate in PE classes. ‪Respondents reported 4.6±1.9 and 6.5±2.2 hours of free-time during the weekdays and weekends on average, respectively. During weekdays, students spend 1.7±1.2 hours watching TV and 4.6±2.0 hours on the internet, while 3.9±1.9 hours are dedicated for studying. On weekends, these activities take up approximately a half an hour more. Only 67.9% of the respondents participate regularly in sports activities. ‪It is regrettable that 37% of the interviewed students do not engage in physical activity outside the compulsory PE classes at all, while they spend more than 6 hours watching TV or surfing the Internet. Feeling responsible for the quality of life of future generations we must encourage activities that change unhealthy life-styles while promoting sports activities.