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The Association of Menstruation and Leisure-Time Physical Activity among Korean Female University Students: A Preliminary Study

Author

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  • Bo-Ram Kim

    (Department of Physical Education, College of Education, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Sunghwun Kang

    (Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, Department of Sport Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
    Interdisciplinary Program in Biohealth-Machinery Convergence Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Woo-Suk Jeong

    (Laboratory of Sport Sociology, Department of Marine Sports, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Korea)

Abstract

An active lifestyle elicits many health benefits. This study’s aim is to understand the actual of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) of female university students in Korea who are experiencing stress due to, e.g., study and employment. LTPA is the degree of exercise participation in leisure time; it is cardiovascular and strength-based behavior occurring within recreation, exercise or sport and provides a positive effect on life satisfaction and psychological well-being. LTPA has been recommended as a method of reducing menstrual symptom severity. However, a lack of evidence exists to support a clear relationship between LTPA and menstruation in female university students. Health consciousness (HC) refers to the degree of interest in one’s health, and Korean female university students pay considerable attention to their body shape, diet habits, and LTPA. This study investigated female university students (K University in Gangwon-do, D University in Busan, and U University in Ulsan) in three metropolitan cities in Korea. Specifically, after seeking cooperation from the person in charge of each university, the purpose of this study was explained. In addition, after promising to provide coffee coupons to students who wish to respond to the survey, cooperation was sought in recruiting research subjects through the person in charge of each university. In addition, a total of 36 surveys that did not have contents filled in fully or gave inconsistent answers were excluded among all survey participants. Chi-square test, t -test and univariate one-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis were performed for between groups (HC, LTPA, intention to participate in LTPA). The LTPA results in relation to the menstruation patterns of Korean female college students are shown. First, there were no significant differences between menstruation (regular vs. irregular) and general LTPA during non-menstrual time periods (χ 2 = 5.828, p < 0.212). However, female university students with regular menstruation patterns had higher LTPA after menstruation compared to female university students with irregular menstruation. Second, there were significant differences in the relationships among HC ( p = 0.000), amount of LTPA ( p = 0.002), and intention to perform LTPA ( p = 0.002), according to the menstruation patterns (regular vs. irregular) of Korean female university students. In other words, those with regular menstruation patterns showed higher HC, amount of LTPA and intention to participate in LTPA than those with irregular menstruations. Third, there were significant differences in the relationship among HC ( p = 0.000), amount of LTPA ( p = 0.000), and intention to participate in LTPA ( p = 0.000) according to LTPA of Korean female university students. Causation cannot be inferred from correlational studies. Therefore, female university students ultimately have different HC and participation in LTPA depending on menstruation regularity.

Suggested Citation

  • Bo-Ram Kim & Sunghwun Kang & Woo-Suk Jeong, 2022. "The Association of Menstruation and Leisure-Time Physical Activity among Korean Female University Students: A Preliminary Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7492-:d:842193
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrea Ichino & Enrico Moretti, 2009. "Biological Gender Differences, Absenteeism, and the Earnings Gap," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 1(1), pages 183-218, January.
    2. Newsom, Jason T. & McFarland, Bentson H. & Kaplan, Mark S. & Huguet, Nathalie & Zani, Brigid, 2005. "The health consciousness myth: implications of the near independence of major health behaviors in the North American population," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(2), pages 433-437, January.
    3. Cerin, Ester & Leslie, Eva, 2008. "How socio-economic status contributes to participation in leisure-time physical activity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(12), pages 2596-2609, June.
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