Physical Activity Analysis and Comparison of Female Students in Urban and Rural Secondary Schools in Slovakia

Our study aimed to assess and compare the physical activity levels of female students in urban and rural secondary schools in Slovakia, given the well-established health benefits of regular physical activity and the recognized risks of a sedentary lifestyle. Using a short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire delivered online via Google Forms, we gathered data from 1271 female students, averaging 17.34 years old, attending the final year of grammar and secondary vocational schools in specific Slovak regions. After categorizing participants based on their residence, statistical analyses, including two-sample t-tests and chi-square tests, were employed with a significance level set at p < 0.01 or p < 0.05. Unexpectedly, participants residing in towns with over 30,000 inhabitants exhibited the highest levels of physical activity, yet they also spent the most time sitting during the week (354.69 minutes on average). Statistical significance was found in only two instances at the p < 0.05 level: walking physical activity between the first and second group and vigorous physical activity between the second and third group. These findings shed light on the nuanced relationship between residence and physical activity levels among female students in Slovakia.