Introduction. The study aims to determine the level of awareness and meeting recommendations regarding physical activity in selected chronic diseases patients groups in eastern Slovakia. We further focused on the role of the physician and medical staff in providing recommendations on performing physical activity in the patients’ treatment as well as meeting these recommendations by the patients. Material and Methods. The study comprised 893 patients (353 males and 540 females) of average age 54.24 years. The dominant condition for participating in the research was the occurrence of one or more diagnoses out of three underlying chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, oncology disease, metabolic disease) that do not prevent physical activity. For data collection, a non-standardized questionnaire had been applied, as part of the questionnaire battery explicitly designed for the research. The results were analyzed in relation to the chronic diseases groups and gender. Results. More than 60% of the surveyed acknowledged the importance of physical activity in treating their diseases; however, only one-third of patients performed physical activity regularly. Nearly half of patients were provided only with general information concerning physical activity by their physicians. Similarly, half of patients received information from their physicians on the minimum requirements for physical activity and were aware of exercises to be carried out in the prevention and treatment of their diseases, but showed no interest in performing those. Differences in patientsˈ awareness of PA within the individual chronic disease groups were significant. Gender-related differences were found significant only in particular cases. Conclusions. The study supports the importance of education and propagation of healthy lifestyle, inherently including regular physical activity.
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