Fisieke aktiwiteit en uitbranding se verband met die gesondheidstatus van vroulike bestuurslui

Abstract

Research indicates that stress can have a negative influence on the lifestyle and health of the human being. However, some researchers still query the relationship between stress and health status. The negative relationship between burnout and work absence, alcohol- and drug abuse is well known. It is widely accepted that physical exercise can neutralize the effect of stress on health. Uncertainty still exists regarding the influence of physical activity on the burnout-health-relationship. The purpose of this study was firstly to investigate the association of burnout with health status. Secondly, the study aimed at determining the influence of physical activity on the possible burnout-health-relationship. The subjects of the study were 278 female executives drawn from the SANGALA-data from companies all over South Africa. The· quality of participation in physical activity was determined with Sharkey's (1984) Physical Activity Index (PAI). The amount of burnout was determined using the Pines Burnout-scale (1981) and health status was measured by Wyler's Seriousness of Illness Rating Scale (IRS; 1968). In the one-way analysis of variance that was done, burnout showed a direct and statistically significant (p~0.05) relationship with health status. The lower the burnout scores of the participants, the better the health status.The results of the two-way analysis of variance indicated significant differences in health status between inactive participants with a low burnout score and inactive participants with a high burnout score (p~0.05). Significant differences were also found between the health status of active participants with a low burnout score and inactive participants with a high burnout score (p~0.05). According to the results of this study it is clear that physical activity has no influence on the relationship between burnout and health status. Burnout, on the other hand, showed a negative relationship with health status independent from the level of participation in physical activity.