Aims: This study aimed to investigate selected chronic diseases patients with different educational attainment regarding their awareness of and compliance with recommended physical activity. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to February 2019 in cooperation with chronic diseases clinics in eastern Slovakia. The study involved 893 patients. Results: People with higher education apparently recognise to a greater extent the importance of nutrition, diet, and the role of physical activity in treating their disease. Moreover, they have knowledge of physical exercises appropriate for their disease. Conversely, a noticeably higher number of less educated patients reported receiving general, respectively detailed information about the importance of physical activity in treating their disease. Differences in awareness of appropriate exercises and their implementation were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The results fail to prove educational attainment being a key determinant of chronic diseases. However, it can be reasonably argued that lower educational attainment may be a reliable risk signal of chronic diseases in later life.

Virtual reality (VR) is widely used across various areas of human life. One field where its application is rapidly growing is sport and physical activity (PA). Training applications are being developed that support various sports disciplines, motor skill acquisition, and the development of motor abilities. Immersive technologies are increasingly being used to assess motor and cognitive capabilities. As such, validation studies of these diagnostic tools are essential. The aim of this study was to estimate the validity and reliability of reaction speed (RS) measurements using the Rezzil Player application (“Reaction” module) in immersive VR compared to results obtained with the SMARTFit device in a real environment (RE). The study involved 43 university students (17 women and 26 men). Both tests required participants to strike light targets on a panel with their hands. Two indicators of response were analyzed in both tests: the number of hits on illuminated targets within a specified time frame and the average RS in response to visual stimuli. Statistically significant and relatively strong correlations were observed between the two measurement methods: number of hits (r_S = 0.610; p < 0.001) and average RS (r_S = 0.535; p < 0.001). High intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were also found for both test environments: number of hits in VR (ICC = 0.851), average RS in VR (0.844), number of hits in RE (ICC = 0.881), and average RS in RE (0.878). The findings indicate that the Rezzil Player application can be considered a valid and reliable tool for measuring reaction speed in VR. The correlation with conventional methods and the high ICC values attest to the psychometric quality of the tool.

Background: Dietary habits formed during university years influence long-term health, yet evidence comparing gender-specific and cross-country patterns in Central Europe is limited. This study assessed differences in dietary intake between Polish and Slovak university students using standardized FFQ-6 daily intake conversions. Material and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in February-March 2025 among 574 Polish and Slovak students (77% female; mean age 22.5±2.68 years). Dietary intake was evaluated using the FFQ-6. Gender and country differences were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests with effect sizes (r). Results: Female students reported a higher intake of vegetables and fruits, while males consumed significantly more red and processed meat, refined grains, animal fats, and energy drinks (p<0.05). In international comparisons, Polish females showed higher consumption of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and nuts but also a higher intake of red meat, added fats, and energy drinks. Slovak students reported a higher dairy intake and slightly lower consumption of sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages. Effect sizes were small to moderate. Conclusions: Our findings show meaningful gender-specific and cross-country differences in the dietary patterns of Polish and Slovak university students, highlighting several areas – especially meat, fats, and vegetable intake – where improvements in everyday dietary routines may be beneficial.

Introduction: University studies often reduce physical activity (PA), which can harm students’ fitness and cardiovascular health, a trend worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: We examined resting heart rate (RHR), aerobic capacity, and VO₂ max in students from two universities in Košice, Slovakia. The study included 586 students (227 males, 359 females; mean age = 19.75 ± 1.55 years) from UPJŠ and TUKE, selected during physical education classes in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023. We recorded the total number of shuttles and aerobic and anaerobic threshold times in a 20-m shuttle run test (SRT). Results: Male students at TUKE showed superior aerobic performance and fitness compared to their counterparts at UPJŠ, with lower RHR (MED = 60.0 bpm vs. 65.0 bpm), superior aerobic capacity (MED = 152.0 sec. vs. 110.0 sec.), and increased VO₂ max (MED = 46.4 vs. 43.1 ml/kg/min). UPJŠ female students outperformed TUKE females in VO₂ max (MED = 33.2 vs. 29.9 ml/kg/min), despite their superior aerobic capacity. There were significant correlations between RHR, aerobic capacity, and VO2 max, particularly in TUKE females (rs = -0.4359, p < 0.05), indicating gender and university-specific patterns. Results show significant cardiovascular fitness differences between universities. Conclusion: TUKE male students had higher VO₂ max, aerobic capacity, and lower RHR compared to UPJŠ peers, while UPJŠ female students had slightly higher aerobic capacity Female groups showed less differences, which may be related to their motivation and effort. Future research should use controlled RHR measurements and systematic tracking to understand how diet, sleep, and stress affect students' fitness.