Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Management & Planning Physical Education, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. (Corresponding Author). Email: karimian@mng.mui.ac.ir.

2 Lecturer, Physical Education, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Lecturer, Medical Library & Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Industrial lifestyle considered as one of the main problems of humanity, because it result in reduced mobility and activities of people. Leisure time and the ways which is spent is a novel concepts which had been found its true meaning in accordance with rising  various technologies and industrialization of societies. Nowedays, recreational sports with sports-related leisure time considered as the most appropriate and perhaps necessary ways of spending leisure time.The aim of this study was to determine the way of spending leisure time among Isfahan librarians with emphasis on the role of physical education and its relation to health.Methods: In this descriptive survey study librarians from public, academic, professional and institution libraries of Isfahan were included in 2008.Data was collected using a questionnaire containing 35 questions about physical activity, depending on type, leisure and health. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was approved by health education and social medicine experts and calculating Cronbach's alpha(0.86), respectively. Data analyzed by SPSS software and descriptive statistics Results: The most leisure time activity among librarians was watching TV and the lowest was going to the cinema and theater and doing individual work. 58% of them had no leisure time on Friday and have healthy recreation. The most important problems for not to do exercise was physical exhaustion due to job involvment (%29.8) and the least was expensive exercise equipment (%2.9). The highest priority for growth and development of exercise in departments was allocated to compulsion circular in stuffs (32.7%).Conclusion: Planning, organizing and increasing motivation for useful and healthy spare time of academic librarian need the support of administrations. An important responsibility of directors in each organization is to recognize different condition, situation and tastes. Also it is essential to lead academic people to spend their leisure time in a healthy and useful way by cultural educations.Keywords: Health; Librarians; Recreation; Exertion; Leisure Activities.