title: Exploring the relationship between physical activity, life goals and health-related quality of life among high school students: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: Two models were developed to increase high school students' participation in physical education (PE): "motion enjoyment" and "sport enjoyment". The first model focuses on increasing knowledge about the health benefits of a physically active lifestyle and thereby promoting a positive attitude towards physical activity, whereas the second model focuses on techniques and practices for enhancing athletic performance. The aims of the present study are to investigate and understand the similarities and differences between students selecting "motion enjoyment" vs. "sport enjoyment" and to examine the extent to which life goals and reported physical activity are associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
  
  
  
  A total of 156 high school students (mean age, 16 years [standard deviation = 0.8], 123 girls and 33 boys) were included in this cross-sectional study. HRQOL and life goals were measured using KIDSCREEN-10 and the Adolescent Life Goal Profile Scale, respectively. Physical activity was measured using a self-reporting questionnaire intended to describe the students' leisure-time activity. Independent sample t-tests, chi-square, one-way analyses of variance and multiple regression analysis were applied.
  
  
  
  Self-reported physical activity level and HRQOL were higher among students in the "sport enjoyment" program, while the perceived importance of life goals was the same regardless of the preferred PE model. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the perceived importance of relations-oriented life goals (B = -5.61; 95 % confidence interval CI = -10.53 to -0.70; p = .026), perceived importance of generativity-oriented life goals (B = 4.14.; 95 % CI = 0.85 to 7.422; p = .014), perceived attainability of relations-oriented life goals (B = 7.28; 95 % CI = 2.49 to 12.07; p = .003), age (B = -7.29; 95 % CI = -11.38 to -3.20; p = .001) and gender, with boys as the reference group (B = -12.10; 95 % CI = -19.09 to -5.11; p = .001), were independently associated with increased HRQOL. In exploring the relationships of self-reported physical activity during leisure time, stage of change (B = 3.53; 95 % CI = 1.49 to 5.51; p = .001), gender, with boys as the reference group (B = -8.90; 95 % CI = -15.80 to -2.00; p = .012), and age (B = -6.62; 95 % CI = -10.57 to -2.66; p = .001) were independently associated with increased HRQOL.
  
  
  
  Self-reported physical activity habits and life goals were associated with HRQOL to a limited extent. However, the perceived importance of life goals appears to reflect other aspects of individual well-being than HRQOL.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway. juliesigvartsen89@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sigvartsen
authors.affiliation: Department for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Sorlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Kristiansand, Norway.
authors.forename: Leiv Einar
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Gabrielsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Eirik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abildsnes
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Sport and Nutrition, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway.
authors.forename: Tonje H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Stea
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway.
authors.forename: Christina Sandvand
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Omfjord
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway.
authors.forename: Gudrun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rohde
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001290:Attitude; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D010465:Perception; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D013177:Sports; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Adolescents; Health-related Quality of Life; High school; Life Goals; Physical Activity; Physical Education