15–17 metų mokinių fizinis aktyvumas bei šeimos ir draugų įtaka jam

It is well established that regular physical activity (PA) has numerous short- and long-term benefits for health (Lohman et al., 2008). Recent studies indicate that student’s physical activity decreases rapidly in all over the world as well as in Lithuania (Volbekienė et al., 2008; Zaborskis, Raskilas, 2011) and that in turn has influence on their health. Parents and peers are important social agents in the physical activity (PA) of youth (De Bourdeaudhuij et al., 2005). The aim of research was to determine 15–17 year aged students’ physical activity, as well as family and friends influence on physical activity. The 9th and 10th grade pupils (206 girls and 194 boys respectfully) took part in the research. The survey was carried out in two urban areas and two rural area schools. Physical activity was measured by modified short form of international PA questionnaire (IPAQ). According to the modified recommendations (Guidelines for Data Processing and Analysis of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) all respondents were divided into three activity groups: vigorous, moderate and low physical activity. Student’s family and friends influence on PA was assessed using Project Grad (Two Year Follow-Up Health Survey) Survey. Results: it was established statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between boys and girls experienced vigorous physical activity (day/week), moderate physical activity (day/week), low physical activity (min/day) and for sitting allotted time (hours/ day) (p<0.05). Statistically significant differences were identified comparing different age student’s – younger student’s were more active (p<0.05). Family members rarely or never do physical activity together with their daughters and sons (p>0.05). It was established that younger students were more engaged in physical activity with their families, discussed them together, as well as their parents were more interested in how much they like to do it (p<0.05). In contrast, elder students more often were more encouraged by family members to do some PA (p<0.05). Vigorous PA group student’s more engaged in PA with their friends, and boys more often corrected their plans for engaging in physical activity (p<0.05). Encouragement of family members to do physical activities was related to student‘s total amount of physical activity in students’ (weak but statistically significant correlation - r = 0.200, p <0.01). Insignificant correlation was identified among total amount of physical activity and all statements describing friends influence on physical activity (r = 0.086, p> 0.05). Conclusion: it was established that boys were statistically significantly more active in vigorous physical activity (day/week), moderate physical activity (day/week) and for sitting allotted time (hours/day). Weak correlations were identified among total amount of physical activity and family influence on physical activity (r=0.200, p<0.01); friends influence on PA was not identified (r=0,086; p>0.05). Among the family influence and friends influence on physical activity there was found weak correlation (r=0.341, p<0.01).