| Abstract [eng] |
Relevance. The number of physically inactive people is increasing every year. The percentage of the population that does not commit to physical activities has increased by about 10% in 8 years in Lithuania. With the increase in physical passivity, the rates of obesity and various chronic diseases within the population are rising as well, which builds up a significant financial burden on the state. In order to reduce the percentage of morbidity and physical inactivity, the state must seek to provide ways to promote physical activity amongst the population. Problem of the study: How to increase the physical activity of the physically inactive adult population in Lithuania? Goal of the study: Having researched the suitability of the four living environments of adults in Lithuania with physical activity and the causes of their physical inactivity, to provide methods of promoting physical activity with the intent to motivate the population to change their passive lifestyle to a more active one. Study objectives: 1) Describe the situation of physical activity in the world and in Lithuania; 2) To identify the peculiarities of physical activity of the Lithuanian adult population; 3) To present the variety of ways to promote physical activity in countries of the European Union; 4) To research the levels of suitability of physical activity with four different life environments (living environment, commute, household, work or education); 5) To compare the views of physically inactive men and women in Lithuania towards the methods of promoting physical activity in other countries and to identify the reasons that hinder the choice of an active lifestyle amongst them. Study methods. The study applies theoretical methods and quantitative analysis. Questionnaire survey data has been collected digitally and corresponds to the following period: January 31st, 2022 up until March 9th, 2022. A total of 100 respondents (71 women and 29 men) aged 19-64 took part in the study. Results. Pedestrian paths are mostly situated in semi-detached housing neighbourhood (94.1%), whereas special lanes to cycle mostly reside in apartment building neighbourhood (73.3%). The majority of participants admit that their residential neighborhood environment is suitable for walking and cycling. The average duration it takes to fully overcome pedestrian routes is the lowest in apartment building neighbourhoods, and the highest being in those of detached housing. 71.8% of women and 79.3% of men indicated to be commuting by car. 51.4% of women and 34.6% of men spend an average of 10 hours a week staying in their household, in addition to 77.5% of women and 82.8% of men sit at work an average of 10 hours every day. 59.4% of women and 64.3% men claim to be in possession of small sports equipment. As results show, the three main reasons for participants not to commit to physical activities are: tiredness after work or education (74.6% of women and 44.8% of men respectively), lack of free time (73.2% and 37.9% respectively) and lack of motivation (57.7% and 58.6% respectively). Conclusions. The number of people who follow a physically inactive lifestyle is increasing, as is the number of people affected by obesity and various chronic diseases. In order to reduce travel time by car, a network of pedestrian and bicycle routes is being developed and reconstructed in Lithuania. The Vilnius City Municipal Public Health Bureau systematically organizes various events for local employees, in addition to company managers provide measures to increase the physically activity of their employees. The scope for promoting physical activity in European countries is similar, however the methods of implementation do vary. Out of the four life environments, the work environment was found to be the least adapted to physical activity. Both men and women are equally positive of the methods being implemented in other countries. Tiredness after work or education, lack of free time and lack of motivation are the main three reasons why the questionnaire’s participants do not commit to physical activities. |
