Relationship between self-rated health, sense of coherence and physical activity in a survey of secondary school students

Introduction: The aim of the present research was to assess the physical activity of secondary school students and to understand its effect on subjective general health, vitality and mental health. As a sense of coherence can help in the choice of preventive behaviours, this study also examined the relationship between students’ sense of coherence and physical activity. Methods A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents aged 15–19 years attending a full-time secondary school in Western Transdanubia, Hungary. The paper-based questionnaire included self-reported questions on physical activity in addition to socio-demographic variables, while the standardised instrument measured dimensions of subjective health (Health Thermometer - EuroQol scale, EQ VAS, Health Survey Short Form SF-36 Questionnaire) and Sense of Coherence (SOC 13). The 448 evaluable responses were analysed using SPSS Statistics 22 software with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, t-test and ANOVA test (p < 0.05). Results 67.79% of the respondents were female, and the majority of the sample (69.87%) lived in a full family. The amount of physical activity was adequate for 22.2% of respondents and nearly adequate for 29%, while 64.1% of the sample were in the adequate category for the quality of physical activity. Regular physical activity had a positive effect on self-reported health perception (p < 0.05). The mean scores for mental health, vitality and general health perception were significantly higher among students who were adequately or nearly adequately physically active (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between sense of coherence and frequency of physical activity (p < 0.05). The means of the self-reported health indicators and the sense of coherence were almost identical between the groups (p > 0.05). Discussion The overall results for physical activity in the study sample are not optimal. By increasing the sense of coherence – providing models, increasing knowledge, creating a supportive environment for physical activity – it is possible to enhance the choice to engage in regular physical activity, and make the right choices for the individual in different life situations, thus increasing the health-promoting effect of physical activity on self-reported health.