Topographic conditions and physical activity behaviour of young adults in Austria

In Austria there is an east-west divide concerning the amount of physical activity. This is associated with poorer health in the eastern region of Austria compared to the western. Experts have posited that the different topographic conditions may be one reason for these differences. However, this hypothesis had not been scientifically proven.
This study deployed a multi-staged approach. First, a semi-standardized quantitative online survey was used to compare both the outdoor physical activities and physical activity behaviour in general of people ages 18-35 in Burgenland (n=150) and in Tyrol (n=150). The chi-squared test was used to determine if differences between these two groups were significant. Finally, a focus group was conducted, in which experts working in the field of physical activity promotion (n=9) interpreted the results and devised possible practical measures for improving physical activity behaviour.