Objectives: Physical inactivity also contributes to the development of various diseases, so regular exercise is very important. The aim of our study is to compare the physical activity level of secondary school students of the same age group. In addition, to find correlations between handgrip strength, physical examinations and lifestyle variables.

Methods: The research was carried out in Szombathely, Hungary in 2019. 57 participants, 1st group: Physical Education (PE) students 23 (12 males, 9 females; 17.13±0.46 years) 2nd group: Math students 34 (25 males, 9 females; 17.03±0.52 years). Measured variables: 1) handgrip strength (F) measured with Jamar dynamometer, 2) anthropometric data, 3) physical activity: IPAQ, endurance pendulum running, trunk extension, push-up, long jump, flexibility test, 4) medical history. Statistics: descriptive statistics, correlation calculation, ANOVA analysis, two-sample t-test, chi2-test. (SPSS 20. v.), p<0.05.

Results: PE students achieved significantly better results in physical activity tests (p<0.05), except for hand grip strength (p=0.536). PE students had significantly higher physical activity days compared to math students (p<0.001). For the total MET / week, physical education students averaged 6031.22 ± 3965.20, while mathematics students achieved 2288.38 ± 2435.30. Comparing the two, students in physical education showed significantly higher MET scores than those in math (p <0.001). There was a significant association between classes and family history of chronic disease (r=0.354, p=0.008). A correlation was found between handgrip strength and body fat% (r=-0.361, p=0.006), handgrip strength and the result of push-up test (r=0.348, p=0.008). Positive, strong relationship was found between smoking and activity levels (r=0.838, p<0.001).

Conclusions: Physical activity students are more active than math students, and there is a correlation between handgrip strength, physical examinations, and lifestyle variables.