A comparison of health-related quality of life and job satisfaction in physically active and sedentary faculty members

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare healthrelated quality of life and job satisfaction between active and sedentary faculty members.Materials and methods: 304 faculty members were selected byrandom sampling method from the statistical society (1620). Considering the subjects’ physical activity level and amount ofexercise per week, they were placed in an active group (N=150) and a sedentary group (N= 154). HRQL was estimated using aHealth-related quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) and job satisfaction was estimated using the Berifield and Rothquestionnaire. The data was analyzed by T-Test (α=0.05).Results: Results indicated that physical activity limitations, psychological problems, bodily pain and mental health were notsignificantly different in active subjects compared to sedentary subjects (P<0.05). Physical problems, social functioning, vitalityand total health were significantly higher in active subjects compared to sedentary subjects (P<0.026, P<0.008, P<0.01,P<0.032). The job satisfaction was signi@icantly higher in activesubjects compared to sedentary subjects (P<0.034). Conclusion: The studies have identified higher levels of fitnessmay positively influence faculty members’ productivity, job satisfaction and absenteeism. The findings of the present studysuggest that HRQL and job satisfaction are better in active faculty members compared to sedentary faculty members. Applied implications for planners and managers in higher education are discussed.

Keywords:

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) , physical activity (PA) , Quality of Work Life (QWL) , job satisfaction , active and sedentary faculty member