Physical Activity and Workplace Stress: Influences on Health Perception Among Academics in Central and Eastern Europe

Several studies have drawn attention to the unhealthy lifestyles of academic staff (lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, high levels of stress, etc.). However, few studies have addressed the physical activity (PA) of academics, the problem of inactivity as compared to the average population or...

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Main Authors: Klára Kovács, Enrico Michelini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Debrecen University Press 2025-07-01
Series:Central European Journal of Educational Research
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Online Access:https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/CEJER/article/view/15252
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author Klára Kovács
Enrico Michelini
author_facet Klára Kovács
Enrico Michelini
author_sort Klára Kovács
collection DOAJ
description Several studies have drawn attention to the unhealthy lifestyles of academic staff (lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, high levels of stress, etc.). However, few studies have addressed the physical activity (PA) of academics, the problem of inactivity as compared to the average population or university students. Our study aims to determine the role of PA and participation in university sports, as well as other health behaviours and sources and resources of stress at work, on the self-assessed health (SAH) status of academics in five Central and Eastern European countries (Hungary, Ukraine, Slovakia, Serbia and Romania). To answer our research question, we used the database of our international survey (CEETHE 2023, N=821). According to our results, SAH is mainly and positively influenced by PA and health-conscious eating, as well as work engagement, and negatively correlated with age, burnout, work-life conflicts and workplace bullying as work stressors. Based on our findings, workplace interventions including sports and time management programmes are recommended for universities, and a safe working environment is essential to improve academics' subjective health status.
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spelling doaj-art-a4926a6ed19d4f3b8311e5aa76bb2a2d2025-07-28T09:59:14ZengDebrecen University PressCentral European Journal of Educational Research2677-03262025-07-016210.37441/cejer/2024/6/2/15252Physical Activity and Workplace Stress: Influences on Health Perception Among Academics in Central and Eastern EuropeKlára Kovács0Enrico Michelini1Faculty of Humanities, Institute of Educational Studies and Cultural Management, University of Debrecen, HungaryFaculty of Cultural, Social and Educational Sciences, Institute for Sports Science, Humboldt University of Berlin; GermanySeveral studies have drawn attention to the unhealthy lifestyles of academic staff (lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, high levels of stress, etc.). However, few studies have addressed the physical activity (PA) of academics, the problem of inactivity as compared to the average population or university students. Our study aims to determine the role of PA and participation in university sports, as well as other health behaviours and sources and resources of stress at work, on the self-assessed health (SAH) status of academics in five Central and Eastern European countries (Hungary, Ukraine, Slovakia, Serbia and Romania). To answer our research question, we used the database of our international survey (CEETHE 2023, N=821). According to our results, SAH is mainly and positively influenced by PA and health-conscious eating, as well as work engagement, and negatively correlated with age, burnout, work-life conflicts and workplace bullying as work stressors. Based on our findings, workplace interventions including sports and time management programmes are recommended for universities, and a safe working environment is essential to improve academics' subjective health status. https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/CEJER/article/view/15252self-assessed healthphysical activityworkplace stress sources and resourcesacademics
spellingShingle Klára Kovács
Enrico Michelini
Physical Activity and Workplace Stress: Influences on Health Perception Among Academics in Central and Eastern Europe
Central European Journal of Educational Research
self-assessed health
physical activity
workplace stress sources and resources
academics
title Physical Activity and Workplace Stress: Influences on Health Perception Among Academics in Central and Eastern Europe
title_full Physical Activity and Workplace Stress: Influences on Health Perception Among Academics in Central and Eastern Europe
title_fullStr Physical Activity and Workplace Stress: Influences on Health Perception Among Academics in Central and Eastern Europe
title_full_unstemmed Physical Activity and Workplace Stress: Influences on Health Perception Among Academics in Central and Eastern Europe
title_short Physical Activity and Workplace Stress: Influences on Health Perception Among Academics in Central and Eastern Europe
title_sort physical activity and workplace stress influences on health perception among academics in central and eastern europe
topic self-assessed health
physical activity
workplace stress sources and resources
academics
url https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/CEJER/article/view/15252
work_keys_str_mv AT klarakovacs physicalactivityandworkplacestressinfluencesonhealthperceptionamongacademicsincentralandeasterneurope
AT enricomichelini physicalactivityandworkplacestressinfluencesonhealthperceptionamongacademicsincentralandeasterneurope