ULUSLARARASI YÜK TAŞIMACILIĞI YAPAN GEMİLERDE ÇALIŞAN PERSONELİN FİZİKSEL AKTİVİTE DÜZEYLERİNİN VE VÜCUT KÜTLE İNDEKSLERİNİN İNCELENMESİ

Abstract

Yalcin, U., Investigation of Physical Activity Levels and Body Mass Indexes of Seafarer Working on International Cargo Transportation Vessels, Hacettepe University Graduate School of Health Sciences Sports Sciences and Technology Program Master's Thesis, Ankara, 2024. The main aim of this study was to determine the parameters that predict the body mass index (BMI) and energy expenditure through physical activity (PA) of seafarers working on ships carrying cargo to international ports. A total of 205 Turkish male seafarers between the ages of 18-64 years (meanage= 31.30 ± 7.60), working on ships carrying cargo to international ports with a voyage duration of at least one month were included in the study. The PA levels of the participants were calculated using the “International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form,” sedentary behavior duration was calculated using the “Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire,” and exercise duration was calculated using the “Sports Index of the Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire.” It was found that the risk of being overweight was 9.319 times more for those working on ships visiting four ports compared to those working on ships visiting one port. The risk of being overweight was 0.291 times less for those working on ships with a port stay of 10 days or more compared to those working on ships with a port stay of less than 10 days. Those who walked longer while on board were 0.288 times less likely to have moderate and vigorous PA compared to those who walked more when the ship moored in the port (p=0.005). Those who sat at work for at least 60 minutes without getting up were 0.299 times less likely to have moderate and vigorous PA compared to those who sat for less than 60 minutes (p=0.004). Age was negatively associated with PA. Both duration of sedentary behavior and BMI were positively correlated with age (p<0.05). There is a negative relationship between BMI and PA (p<0.05). In conclusion, both the characteristics of the seafarers and the characteristics of the ship and voyage determine BMI, the energy expended through PA, and the duration of sedentary behavior. In order to keep BMI at an optimal level and indirectly to prevent chronic diseases, it is important that the duration of exercise, energy expended through PA, and sedentary behavior should be at the recommended level.