Abstract

The objective of the current research was to study the potential impact of health condition on the basis medical certificates on the fulfilment of the requirements of the compulsory study plan of physical education.
METHODS. The study gives a general overview for 4 school years through analysis of information from medical certificates, taking into account the validity of a certificate and other characteristics.
RESULTS. The majority (three out of four) of medically grounded certificates were written by parents. Parents also wrote the majority of one-day medical certificates. It was found that during the study period the number of certificates had multiplied, in particular, those issued by parents. Compared to girls boys were exempted from studies less often,  but the duration of certificates for girls was longer. Comparison of visits to medical professionals showed that boys mostly visited family practitioners whereas girls presented to school doctors. On the basis of the certificates issued by the medical staff of the school as well as by general practitioners, it can be concluded that health related study omission rate increases during puberty.
CONCLUSION. It was found that the number of certificates is substantial and increasing; the majority of medically grounded exemptions from physical education are issued by nonprofessionals; the exemptions are often not justified as in the case of most ailments, moderate physical activity is allowed unless these are infection-related symptoms like fever, muscular pain, headache, etc. As a consequence, successful fulfilment of the compulsory study plan in physical education is endangered.