Pediatria pre prax 5/2015

Physical activity of health professionals at department of pediatrics

World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends walking 10 000 steps a day to be in good physical condition and healthy. The walking strengthens cardiovascular system and reduces the risk of civilisation diseases. Going for a walk is easy, no need for any kind of sports clothing and equipment. Walking is the most natural and available kind of human movement. Is the limit of 10 000 steps in a common day easy to achieve? In our study we aimed to monitor hospital staff’s steps at the 2nd Department of Pediatrics of Comenius University Medical School and University Children´s Hospital in Bratislava during 8 hours workshift and free time. Our results show that the limit of 10 000 steps during 8 hours workshift is not easy to reach. Therefore it is necessary to do physical activity after the work. Steps monitoring is easy and effective method of physical activity self monitoring.

Keywords: physical activity, walking, pedometer, medical doctor, hospital.