DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-087-0-0198

IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL RECOVERY OF STUDENTS IN PERFORMING ARTS

Michal Marko¹, Štefan Adamčák², Stanislav Azor³

¹ Faculty of Performing Arts, Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica, Kollár 22, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

Faculty of Sports Science and Health, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Tajovský 40,

² 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryk 24,

³ 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia

Physical activity in natural environments offers an important means of mental and physical recovery and may help reduce psychological strain, relieve muscle tension, and improve recovery; therefore, the study examines how often students in performing arts use outdoor physical activity as forms of recovery and identifies differences in gender in perceived mental and physical effects. The sample included 144 students from faculty of performing arts (60 men and 84 women). Data came from questionnaire. Differences in gender underwent assessments with Pearson’s chi-square test and Cramer’s V, while ordinal items underwent analysis with the Mann-Whitney U test (α = .05). Walking or hiking emerged as the most common activity in both groups (men 80.0%, women 84.5%). Statistically significant differences appeared in frequency of using outdoor physical activity and in perceived reduction of muscle tension (p < .01), which the Mann-Whitney U test confirmed (p < .05). No significant gender differences appeared in perceived reduction of psychological stress (p > .05). The findings highlight the importance of physical activity in natural environments for recovery of performing arts students. Support for regular participation may improve recovery and help prevent health problems.

Keywords: Gender differences, health prevention, muscle tension, performing arts students, psychological strain

pages: 198-201, Published: 2026, online: 2026