The interaction of physical activity and quality of life of adolescents.

Abstract

IntroductionDevelopmental period of adolescence lasts from about 13-15 to 20-22 years. This period is characterized by the onset and culmination of physical and sexual maturation. By completion of physical development at the age of about 25 years adolescents become socially and emotionally mature personalities. According to Vagnerova (2000) adolescence is divided into pubescence period (between 11th and 15th year of age) and adolescence period (between 15 and 20 years of age). According to Macek (2003) adolescence is divided into three phases: early adolescence (10-13 years), middle adolescence (14-16 years), and late adolescence (17-22 years).The period of adolescence is characterized by the gradual release of relations with parents and preference of relations with peers. Emotional and sexual life develops very intensively, however at the beginning adolescent is socially and morally not matured enough; he seeks security, does not trust any authority, and has a tendency to take risks. This period is also characterized by rebellion, idealism and dramatic world of conflicting tendencies. Later there appear and extend the abilities of abstract thinking, attitudes, beliefs, and mental life consolidate. This leads to the development of self-confidence, self-esteem, independence, integration of personality. At the end of adolescence mature individual reaches the peak of intelligence and cognitive abilities (Macek, 2003).The Quality of life is closely related to the different stages of development. The quality of life is perceived differently in adolescence and in adulthood or retirement period (Videmsek et al., 2009). Some of the common features that affect satisfaction or dissatisfaction with life, however, can be found in all stages of development (Sejcova, 2006). The evaluation of life satisfaction depends on personal comparisons of ones own criteria and perceived life circumstances (Valois et al., 2002). As reported by Sýkorova & Blatný (2008), overall life satisfaction in adolescents is associated with different variables, and environmental and demographic variables, socioeconomic status, temperament variables and personality. Life satisfaction is determined more by positive orientation of mental health, which defines psychological wellbeing as the absence of psychopathology symptoms (Valois et al., 2002).The studies of satisfaction with the quality of life in adolescents were monitored in relation to the frequency of leisure activities (Gilman 2001), gender (Hall-Lande, 2007), risky and violent behavior, risky sexual behavior, use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, etc. (Zullig et al., 2001, Valois et al., 2002). The results point to the lack of work experience of adolescents in the spheres of communication, stress management, decision making, problem solving and goal setting. The adolescents with poor experience can compensate their own dissatisfaction by risky sexual behavior, and symptoms of depression may also occur in a higher rate. After the age of 15, girls reported depressive symptoms and depression two times higher than boys (Hall-Lande, 2007). It turns out that boys are more satisfied with life than girls are (Sýkorova & Blatný, 2008).Psychologists have found that people dedicated to physical exercise regularly at least three times a week as compared to individuals who do not perform any activities, are more satisfied with their lives. During physical activities certain substances such as endorphin (brings elation, a feeling of calm, pleasant feeling of relaxation, improves the quality of sleep and sexual desire) and serotonin (fabric hormone affecting blood coagulation, which raises the temperature of the hypothalamus and stimulates the - bottom part of the midbrain) which act as desired harmless drug enhancing a person's mood, are released in the body. Human body is shaped by regular physical activity physical fitness of a man improves, while creating the habit of correct body posture. …

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