Supervisors info:
Κουτσούκη Δ., Καθηγήτρια, ΤΕΦΑΑ, ΕΚΠΑ
Σκορδίλης Ε., Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, ΤΕΦΑΑ, ΕΚΠΑ
Τσίγκανος Γ., Λέκτορας, ΤΕΦΑΑ, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of physical activity of students with epilepsy in 4th , 5th , 6th grade of primary school, as well as students with epilepsy who study in high schools, in Achaia, Etoloakarnania and Attica, the differences in the physical activation between students of elementary school with those of high school and the relation of physical activity and sedentary habits for all participants.
Method: Were examined 90 students with epilepsy and 90 students without epilepsy between of 10-17 years old, which classified based on the age, the sex, the school and the grade of study. The questionnaire “Self administered physical activity checklist-SAPAC”, measured the physical activity of the students and was provided it to the students three timer a week, two times daily during the week and one time during in Weekend. It consisted of a list of various athletic and recreational activities, in addition with sedentary pursuits. Every activity the children were engaged in the previous day, they reported the segment of the day, the number of minutes and a subjective intensity rating. Self-reported data were summarized with the following three variables: (a) total minutes of physical activity; (b) weighted activity MET score (min of activity x MET value x intensity rating); (c) minutes in sedentary pursuits. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to assess the relations between the variables, while (MANOVAs) and (ANOVAs) were used to appraise the children’s differences to physical activity and sedentary pursuits.
Results: According to the measures, students without epilepsy have higher levels in physical activities (F= 79,953 p=, 000 and n2=, 310) and in the gravimetric indicator (F= 42,286 p=, 000 and n2=, 192) when compared with students with epilepsy, but as for their sedentary habits, there were not exist important differences between each other. Comparing however teams with epilepsy, the children with epilepsy had considerably lower results in the sedentary activities (F= 8,405 p=, 005 and n2=,) comparatively with the adolescents with epilepsy. Regarding students with epilepsy, considerably negative cross-correlation between sedentary habits and time of attendance in the physical activities (r = -, 253 and p =, 016) was found as also and in the Gravimetric Indicator of Activity (r = -, 250 and p =, 018). Regarding students without epilepsy considerably negative cross-correlation did not exist in no one from the previous parameters even if the cross-correlation between the sedentary habits and in the Gravimetric Indicator of Activity (r = -, 196 and p =, 164) approached the level of statistical importance.
Conclusion: The children of 10-17 years with epilepsy have decreased levels of physical activity is probably that due to bias connected with the epilepsy, for example that the exercise deteriorates the seizures and the stigma that unjustifiably exists towards the people for the adults with epilepsy. The parents and the teachers should be informed about the profits of exercise and reinforce the children and adolescents with epilepsy to participate in games and sports in their leisure time instead sedentary activities.
