Physical activity plays a key role in terms of promoting the health-related quality of life and overall well-being of society in the prevention and management of different kinds of illness, i.e., obesity, overweight, certain cardiovascular diseases, Type-2 diabetes, chronic pain, and some types of cancer [15]. Besides, it also fulfils both preventive and rehabilitative functions. However, everyone, including researchers, health professionals and the general society, seems to understand the quality of life, but precise definitions are quite elusive [16].
This piece of research was conducted to identify and understand the correlation between the physical activity pattern of the Saudi population and their reported quality of life. Notably, most of the study participants engaged in some kind of physical activity [444/572;(77.6%)], especially females (Table 1). The present study finding concurrent with a study conducted by Segar et al. (2011) [17] confirms that middle-aged women are more motivated and inclined to engage in physical activities to boost their psycho-physio-social needs and subsequently improve their quality of life. Most of the study participants perceive that routine physical activity could reduce their risk of illness, manage chronic illnesses, improve physical fitness, increase social engagement, and reduce their stress and anxiety (Table 2). In line with the current survey, physical activity improves the quality of life by reducing stress and anxiety [18]. Engaging in physical activity is closely associated with physio-psychological benefits by minimizing the risk of chronic illness, subsequently boosting physical fitness and mental stimulation [19, 20].
Overall, sixty-percent of the population strongly agreed that they felt better after practicing physical activity (Fig. 2) and the result is quite comparable with a study conducted among college students which found that those who engaged in more physical activity they have reported greater life satisfaction [21]. In Saudi Arabia, a study conducted by Kokandi et al., (2019) [22] concluded that males engaged physical activity is higher than females. It differed from our findings and this could be due to the higher percent of female participants than males (Tables 1 and 4). Interestingly, irrespective of health status (chronic and non-chronic) most of the respondents practice physical activities. It’s a good indicator of the high prevalence of health-related quality of life in society. The chi-square analysis has not shown any statistical significance between these two groups (P − 0.062) (Table 3). There was a positive association observed between physical activity and quality of life [23]. Most of the respondents [519/572; (90.8%)] felt much better after physical activity (Table 3) and an earlier survey also reported that physical activity meets needs and contributes to improving the quality of life and ultimately creates a positive health cycle [16]. In line with the present findings (Table 3) Ana-Maria (2015) [16] reported that the participants cited that they feel much more satisfied after practising any kind of physical activity during leisure hours.
A study conducted by Puciato et al., (2017) [24] reported that the quality of life and physical activity is higher among the working-age population (20–50 years old), the results (88.4%) completely concur with our findings (Table 4). Overall, over fifty years old [33/444; 7.5%] only a meagre number of participants engage in physical activity. A strong correlation was observed between physical activity and quality of life irrespective of gender, age, educational status, occupation, and health conditions (Table 4). The result is quite concurrent with previous study findings that inactivity is more common among women than men and this tendency increases with age [25].
Pucci et al., (2012) [23] reported a higher level of PA is often associated with a better perception of quality of life in the elderly (age), apparently healthy adults, and individuals with different clinical conditions. The results were quite comparable with a study conducted in Turkey by Önmez et al., (2020) [26] after the first case of covid-19 found that only 6.9% of the sample were physically active, there was a positive relationship observed between PA levels and HRQoL. While there was a negative relationship between levels of PA, depression, and anxiety (P − 0.0005). Similarly, when compared between physically active and inactive participants there was a significant, difference was observed in terms of physical and psychological health status (P − 0.0005).
Overall, 85.4% of the respondents perceive that physical activity improves their quality of sleep, boosts job satisfaction, and overall improves their quality of life (Table 2). In line with the present survey, Arslan et al., (2019) [27] point out that the effects of physical activity improve sleep quality, job satisfaction, and quality of life among office workers. This positive attitude towards physical activity is a good indicator that we are building a healthier and stronger society. One more Saudi Arabian study also Musheiba et al., (2015) [28] reported that physical activity is quite linked with quality of life. Recent studies indicate that PA can help to improve and maintain both physical and mental health even in periods of social isolation [29] like COVID-19 lockdown conditions. PA individuals may have improved quality of life in the physio-psycho-socio, mental, and environmental health domains than their sedentary counterparts.