Testing the Reliability of Neighborhood-Specific Measures of Physical Activity Among Canadian Adults

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin R. McCormack ◽  
Alan Shiell ◽  
Patricia K. Doyle-Baker ◽  
Christine Friedenreich ◽  
Bev Sandalack ◽  
...  

Background:Capturing neighborhood-specific physical activity is necessary to advance understanding of the relations between neighborhood walkability and physical activity. This study examined the test–retest reliability of previously developed items (from the Neighborhood Physical Activity Questionnaire) for capturing setting-specific physical activity among Canadian adults.Methods:Randomly sampled adults (N = 117) participated in 2 telephone interviews 2 to 5 days apart. Respondents were asked a series of items capturing frequency and duration of transportation-related walking, recreational walking, and moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity undertaken inside and outside the neighborhood in a usual week. The test–test reliability of reported physical activity levels were then examined using intraclass and Spearman’s rank correlations, kappa coefficients, and overall agreement.Results:Participation, frequency, and the duration of transportation-related and recreational walking and vigorous-intensity physical activity inside and outside the neighborhood showed moderate to excellent test–retest reliability. Moderate reliability was found for moderate-intensity physical activity undertaken inside (k = .48; ICC frequency = .38; ICC duration = .39) and outside (k = .51; ICC frequency = .79; ICC duration = .31) the neighborhood.Conclusions:Neighborhood-specific physical activity items administered by telephone interview are reliable and are therefore appropriate for use in future studies examining neighborhood walk-ability and physical activity.

Author(s):  
Guillermo F López-Sánchez ◽  
Rubén López-Bueno ◽  
Alejandro Gil-Salmerón ◽  
Roksana Zauder ◽  
Maria Skalska ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This is the first study analyzing levels of physical activity in a sample of quarantined adults with chronic conditions. The aim of this study was to compare moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity levels in Spanish adults with chronic conditions before and during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was administered during the COVID-19 quarantine in Spain. A total of 163 participants with chronic conditions (113 females and 47 males; age range 18–64 years) completed the survey. A total of 26 chronic conditions were included. Participants self-reported average minutes/day of moderate and vigorous physical activity before and during quarantine. Differences in moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity levels before and during COVID-19 quarantine (overall, by gender, by age, by number of chronic conditions and by each chronic condition) were assessed by Wilcoxon-signed rank test. Results During COVID-19 quarantine, there was a significant decrease of moderate-intensity physical activity in Spanish people with chronic conditions (in both males and females, in those aged 18–24, 25–34, 35–44 and 55–64 years, in those with multimorbidity, in those with one/two chronic condition/s, and in those diagnosed with asthma/hypercholesterolaemia/chronic skin disease/haemorrhoids). Also, there was a significant decrease of vigorous-intensity physical activity in Spanish males with chronic conditions and in those with multimorbidity. Conclusions These results should be considered to develop effective strategies of physical activity promotion targeting these specific groups when new quarantine or restriction measures are implemented, in order to avoid new significant decreases of physical activity in these vulnerable populations.


2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin McCormack ◽  
Billie Giles-Corti

Background:The influence of participating in vigorous-intensity physical activity and associated compensatory declines in other types of physical activity in the general population has not been studied well; hence, it is unknown if participation in recommended levels of vigorous-intensity physical activity influence the likelihood of participating in recommended levels of moderate-intensity physical activity.Methods:Face-to-face interviews were conducted on healthy adults (n = 1803), 18 to 59 years of age, recruited from the top and lower quintiles of socioeconomic status within Perth, Western Australia. Data on television watching, vigorous-intensity activity, moderate-intensity activity, and walking for recreation and transport were used in the analysis. Logistic regression was used to determine whether participation in recommended levels of vigorous-intensity activity predicted participation in recommended levels of other types of physical activity and television watching.Results:After controlling for age, gender, education, and social advantage, participating in recommended levels of vigorous-intensity physical activity (≥90 min/week) was not found to be associated with walking for transport (≥150 min/week) but was found to be significantly associated (OR = 1.38, 95%CI = 1.04–1.82) with recommended levels of recreational walking (≥150 min/week). Participation in recommended levels of vigorous-intensity physical activity was associated with a reduced likelihood of watching television more than 10 hours per/week (OR = 0.71, 95%CI = 0.57–0.89).Conclusion:In those who participate in recommended levels of vigorous-intensity physical activity, there appears to be no compensatory response in other moderate-intensity activities. Given the added health benefits associated with vigorous-intensity activity, concurrent promotion of moderate and vigorous-intensity physical activity guidelines is warranted, with no evidence that participation in vigorous-intensity activity will negatively influence participation in recommended levels of moderate-intensity activity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 251581631878828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha G Farris ◽  
J Graham Thomas ◽  
Ana M Abrantes ◽  
Frederick A Godley ◽  
Julie L Roth ◽  
...  

Given the benefits of habitual physical activity for migraine management and overall health, it is important to understand the reasons for low physical activity levels in those with migraine. Beliefs that physical activity can trigger and/or worsen migraine pain may contribute to low physical activity levels via intentional avoidance of physical activity, particularly of higher intensities. This study evaluated intentional avoidance of physical activity at varying intensity levels and its association with (a) leisure-time physical activity levels, (b) beliefs that physical activity will trigger and/or worsen migraine, and (c) migraine characteristics. Participants were women ( n = 100) who screened positive for migraine on the IDMigraine and completed an online survey on physical activity and migraine. The majority of the sample (78%) reported avoiding physical activity to manage migraine attacks at least once in the past month, and most reported avoidance of both moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity. Among those who reported avoidance, moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity was avoided on an average of 4.0 ± 2.0 and 4.1 ± 2.2 days/week, respectively. More frequent avoidance of vigorous-intensity physical activity (but not moderate-intensity) was significantly correlated with lower vigorous-intensity physical activity indicated by fewer days/week ( r = −0.28, p = 0.016) and fewer minutes/day ( r = −0.29, p = 0.011). The frequency of physical activity avoidance was significantly correlated with stronger expected likelihood that physical activity, at both intensity levels, will both trigger ( r = 0.39–0.43, p < 0.01) and worsen ( r = 0.24–0.25, p < 0.05) migraine attacks. Individuals who avoided physical activity reported a significantly higher number of migraine attacks in the past month and were more likely to have chronic migraine, compared to those who did not report avoidance. Intentional avoidance of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity is a common migraine management strategy that is associated with lower levels of vigorous-intensity physical activity, stronger beliefs that physical activity will trigger or worsen migraine, and more frequent migraine attacks. Individuals with migraine who avoid physical activity may benefit from targeted intervention to address beliefs about physical activity and migraine, which has the strong potential to improve both migraine and health outcomes.


Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua R Sparks ◽  
Xuewen F Wang

Background: Glucose concentrations in a fasted and during a glucose challenged state rely on different mechanisms for regulation. In a fasted state, hepatic regulation of glucose is important; while in a glucose challenged state, muscle glucose disposal becomes more important. Evidence suggests that physical activity of moderate or higher intensities can increase muscle glucose disposal during an insulin-stimulated state, but has less effect on hepatic insulin sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between glucose concentrations (fasting and after an oral glucose ingestion) and minutes of physical activity at moderate- and vigorous-intensity in a large population. Methods: The sample included 2,807 adults (47.4% male and 52.6% female) aged 18-80 years who participated in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) from 2013-2014 and who did not take any diabetic medications. Minutes being physically active at moderate- and vigorous-intensities during work, and recreationally, were collected using the Physical Activity Questionnaire, which was based on the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Moderate-intensity physical activity was defined as any activity that caused a small increase in breathing or heart rate, while vigorous-intensity physical activity was defined as large increases in breathing or heart rate. Both intensities had to be performed for a minimum of 10 continuous minutes. Plasma glucose concentrations at fasting and 2 hours after consumption of a drink containing 75g glucose (2-hour glucose) were determined. Pearson product correlations were performed for analysis. Results: The population had 141±133 (mean±SD) minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity during work and 63±56 minutes recreationally, as well as 174±156 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity during work and 77±56 minutes recreationally. Minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity performed during work was associated with 2-hour plasma glucose concentrations (r=0.15; p=0.045); this association was not affected after adjusting for age, race, and sex (p=0.049), but was no longer significant after BMI was also adjusted (p=0.059). Recreational or total minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, and moderate-intensity physical activity was not associated with 2-hour glucose (p>0.20). Additionally, none of the physical activity minutes was associated with fasting glucose (p>0.27). Conclusion: Self-reported vigorous-intensity physical activity during work was positively associated with 2-hour glucose, but not fasting glucose. The results are surprising. Further studies with objective physical activity measures are needed to examine the associations with fasting and 2-hour glucose.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 460-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Airton J. Rombaldi ◽  
Ana M.B. Menezes ◽  
Mario Renato Azevedo ◽  
Pedro C. Hallal

Objectives:To explore whether participation in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with participation in occupational, housework, and transport-related physical activity.Methods:Population-based cross-sectional study covering a multistage sample of 972 subjects age 20 to 69 years. Physical activity was measured using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. A LTPA score was calculated as follows: min/wk of walking + min/wk of moderate-intensity physical activity + (min/wk of vigorous-intensity physical activity × 2). Similar scores were generated for each domain. For categorical analyses, the scores were divided into 3 categories: 0 min/wk, 10−149 min/wk, and ≥150 min/wk.Results:The proportion of subjects practicing less than 150 min/wk of physical activity in each domain was: leisure-time (69.8%), occupational (58.3%), housework (35.0%), transportation (51.9%). Subjects with a transport-related physical activity score equal to or above 150 min/wk were 40% less likely to be sedentary in leisure-time in comparison with those who did not practice transport-related physical activity. Housework and occupational physical activity were not related to participation in LTPA.Conclusions:Future physical activity campaigns should focus on other domains instead of LTPA alone, particularly supporting transport-related physical activity as a strategy of health promotion.


2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 332-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina L Ekegren ◽  
Rachel E Climie ◽  
Pamela M Simpson ◽  
Neville Owen ◽  
David W Dunstan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Physical activity is increasingly recognized as an important marker of functional recovery following fracture. Objective The objectives of this study were to measure sedentary behavior and physical activity 2 weeks and 6 months following fracture and to determine associated demographic and injury factors. Design This was an observational study. Methods Two weeks and 6 months following fracture, 83 adults who were 18 to 69 years old and had upper limb (UL) or lower limb (LL) fractures wore an accelerometer and an inclinometer for 10 days. We calculated sitting time, steps, moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA), and vigorous-intensity physical activity and conducted linear mixed-effects multivariable regression analyses to determine factors associated with temporal changes in activity. Results At 6 months versus 2 weeks after fracture, participants sat less, took more steps, and engaged in more MPA. Participants with LL fractures sat 2 hours more, took 66% fewer steps, and engaged in 77% less MPA than participants with UL fractures. Greater reductions in sitting time were observed for participants in the youngest age group and with LL fractures, participants with high preinjury activity, and participants who were overweight or obese. For steps, greater improvement was observed for participants in the youngest and middle-aged groups and those with LL fractures. For MPA, greater improvement was observed for middle-aged participants and those with LL fractures. Limitations Although this study was sufficiently powered for the analysis of major categories, a convenience sample that may not be representative of all people with musculoskeletal trauma was used. Conclusions Working-age adults with LL fractures had lower levels of physical activity 6 months after fracture than those with UL fractures. Older adults showed less improvement over time, suggesting that they are an important target group for interventions aimed at regaining preinjury activity levels.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 550-556
Author(s):  
Ralph Smith ◽  
Ashley Ridout ◽  
Angus Livingstone ◽  
Nicola Wango ◽  
Yvonne Kenworthy ◽  
...  

Regular physical activity improves glycaemic control in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Motivational interviewing is an effective technique for increasing activity levels. This report evaluates a clinical pathway developed to integrate physical activity motivational interviewing into routine gestational diabetes care. Women attending a single-centre NHS clinic were invited to engage in a physical activity-focused motivational interview. The aerobic physical activity levels of 62 women were evaluated at baseline and at a 2-week telephone follow up, coded into three categories by minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week: red (<30 minutes), amber (30–149 minutes) and green (≥150 minutes). At baseline, 30.6% of participants were coded red, 41.9% amber and 27.4% green. At follow up, 4.8% women coded red, 38.7% amber and 56.5% green, demonstrating a significant association for increased activity levels after motivational interviewing (P<0.001). This clinical pathway provides encouraging results that physical activity increased significantly in the short term.


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