The use of the physical efficiency tests in the evaluation of physical improvement after a military course involving severe physical strain.
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Adult↗
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Health-enhancing physical activity among Saudi adults using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
OBJECTIVES: To describe the physical activity profile of Saudi adults living in Riyadh, using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short-version telephone format. METHODS: Physical activity was assessed using the official Arabic short form of IPAQ, intended for use in telephone interview. The instrument asks for times spent in walking, moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity of at least 10 min duration. The sample consisted of 1616 Saudis, between 15 and 78 years of age, living in Riyadh. Participants were drawn from a list of names in the telephone book using a simple random method. Telephone interviews were administered during the spring of 2003 by trained male interviewers. RESULTS: The final sample size was 1064 Saudi males and females (response rate of 66%), with males comprising about 66% of the respondents. Over 43% of Saudis did not participate in any type of moderate-intensity physical activity lasting for at least 10 min. More than 72% of the sample did not engage in any type of vigorous-intensity physical activity lasting for at least 10 min. The proportion of Saudis who walked for 150 min or more per week was 33.3%. Females were engaged more in moderate physical activity than males, whereas males participated more in vigorous activity compared with females. Activity levels did not show significant relationships with education level or job hours per week. Based on the three activity categories established by IPAQ, 40.6% of Saudis were inactive, 34.3% were minimally active and 25.1% were physically active. Physical inactivity increased with advancing age. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that the prevalence of physical inactivity among Saudis adults is relatively high. Efforts are needed to encourage Saudis to be more physically active, with the goal of increasing the proportion of Saudis engaging in health-enhancing physical activity.
Adolescent↗
Physical therapist assistants' perceptions of the documented roles of the physical therapist assistant.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study investigated physical therapist assistants' (PTAs) perceptions of the documented roles of PTAs and compared those perceptions with those of physical therapists from a previous study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire that described 79 physical therapy activities was distributed to a sample (n = 400) of PTAs derived from the American Physical Therapy Association membership. The response rate was 56% (n = 225). Respondents indicated whether each activity was included in the documentation describing PTA roles. Discriminant analyses were used to determine whether demographic factors predicted the pattern of responses. In addition, meta-analytic techniques were used to determine whether PTA responses were different from those of physical therapists gathered previously. RESULTS: The greatest agreement of PTA opinions with published guidelines occurred for treatment implementation activities, and the lowest level of agreement occurred for items designated as administrative activities. Responses of PTAs were different from those of physical therapists on 21 of the 79 activities. The greatest number of these differences occurred for evaluative functions (n = 9). Physical therapist assistants' perceptions of documented PTA roles were generally less consistent with published guidelines than were those of physical therapists. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: Physical therapist assistants' perceptions of the roles of the PTA were, for some activities, not consistent with written guidelines. Using the data provided in this study, discussions to revise the documentation of the scope of PTA practice may focus on those activities for which disagreement between PTAs and physical therapists exists and for which opinions differ markedly from published guidelines. [Robinson AJ, DePalma MT, McCall M. Physical therapist assistants' perceptions of the documented roles of the physical therapist assistant.
Allied Health Personnel↗
Physical activity and self-perception in school children assessed with the Children and Youth--Physical Self-Perception Profile.
AIM: This study validated the Swedish translation of the Children and Youth--Physical Self-Perception Profile (CY-PSPP) scale and examined the relation between physical self-perception and daily physical activity as well as the relationship between physical self-perception and body mass index (BMI) among Swedish school children. METHODS: Forty-eight children aged 11-12 years completed the CY-PSPP twice with 2 weeks in between. Test-retest reliability, concurrent and content validity were calculated. Five hundred and one children, aged 10-14 years, were measured for height and weight and perceived physical self-perception. Activity levels were analyzed using pedometers for 4 consecutive days. RESULTS: Good validity concerning concurrent and content validity was found. Test-retest reliability over a 2-week period was acceptable. In boys a fair and in girls a poor correlation between the sub-domains of the CY-PSPP and physical activity were found and a fair negative correlation between the sub-domains and BMI except for Physical Strength. CONCLUSION: The CY-PSPP distinguishes between children with low and high physical self-perception. The information is of importance when designing physical activity programs reachable for children with low physical self-esteem. According to the findings it is important to form physical activity programs that support and develop Sport Competence, Physical Condition and sense of Body Attractiveness among children.
Adolescent↗
Measuring physical activity in peripheral arterial disease: a comparison of two physical activity questionnaires with an accelerometer.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)-related exertional leg pain may limit physical activity, thereby contributing to mobility loss and increasing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in men and women with PAD. The objectives of this study were: (1) to compare objectively measured physical activity levels between patients with and without PAD, (2) to assess the validity of two physical activity questionnaires in patients with PAD. Twenty PAD patients from a noninvasive vascular laboratory and 21 patients without PAD from a general medicine practice wore an accelerometer continuously for 7 days to measure physical activity objectively. After 7 days, participants completed the leisure time physical activity questionnaire (LTPAQ), derived from the Health Interview Survey, (continued on next page)and the Stanford 7-day physical activity recall questionnaire (PARQ). PAD participants had markedly lower physical activity levels than non-PAD participants as measured by accelerometer (803 kcal/week +/-364 (range=284-2,000, median=708) vs 1,750 kcal/week +/-1,296 (range=882-6,586, median=1,278), p<0.001). For the LTPAQ, physical activity levels in PAD and non-PAD participants were 609 kcal/week +/-576 (range=0-2,085, median=529) vs 832 kcal/week +/-784 (range=53-2,820, median= 623), p=0.128. For the PARQ, physical activity levels in PAD and non-PAD participants were 234 METS/week +/-21 (range=214-301, median=229) vs 238 METS/week +/- 11 (range=225-268, median=234), p=0.454, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient for the association between the accelerometer and the log-transformed LTPAQ measure was 0.419 (p=0.006). Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.348 for the association between the accelerometer and the log-transformed PARQ measure of physical activity (p=0.026). In conclusion, PAD patients have significantly lower physical activity levels than non-PAD patients. Two commonly used physical activity questionnaires were less sensitive than objective measurement to the association between PAD and inactivity.
Aged↗
[Effect of physical activity on physical fitness among workers].
We conducted a cross-sectional study to clarify the effects of physical activity on physical fitness. Physical fitness tests were offered to workers of companies manufacturing automobile parts from December, 1992 to December, 1993. The subjects were 1,217 male and 600 female workers who participated in the physical fitness test. From this group, we analyzed 1,048 male and 522 female workers who answered a physical activity questionnaire. The questionnaire included age, sex, working posture, physical activity during working time and physical activity during leisure time. The physical fitness tests were composed of grip strength, standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and step tests. We classified the subjects into low performance group and high performance group for each test. In addition, we classified the subjects into different groups by age (16-29 years old, 30-49 years old old and 50-69 years old), by working posture (standing and sitting), as well as by activity levels during working time and leisure time physical activities (inactive and active). Thus, we examined potential risk factors for the physical fitness by a multiple logistic regression model. The results were as follows: 1. Standing work was a significant risk factor for grip strength, foot balance with closed eyes and jumping reaction time in male workers, and standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and the step test in female workers. 2. Physical activity during working time was not related to physical fitness in male and female workers. 3. Inactivity during leisure time was a significant risk factor for standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and the step test in male workers, and grip strength and foot balance with closed eyes in female workers. 4. Young age (16-29 years old) was a significant risk factor for grip strength, standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and the step test in male and female workers. Middle age (30-49 years old) was a significant risk factor for foot balance with closed eyes and jumping reaction time in male workers, and standing trunk flexion, foot balance with closed eyes, jumping reaction time and the step test in female workers.
Adolescent↗
Physical therapy alone compared with core decompression and physical therapy for femoral head osteonecrosis in sickle cell disease. Results of a multicenter study at a mean of three years after treatment.
BACKGROUND: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a common complication in patients with sickle cell disease, and collapse of the femoral head occurs in 90% of patients within five years after the diagnosis of the osteonecrosis. However, the efficacy of hip core decompression to prevent the progression of osteonecrosis in these patients is still controversial. METHODS: In a prospective multicenter study, we evaluated the safety of hip core decompression and compared the results of decompression and physical therapy with those of physical therapy alone for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in patients with sickle cell disease. Forty-six patients (forty-six hips) with sickle cell disease and Steinberg Stage-I, II, or III osteonecrosis of the femoral head were randomized to one of two treatment arms: (1) hip core decompression followed by a physical therapy program or (2) a physical therapy program alone. Eight patients withdrew from the study, leaving thirty-eight who participated. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (seventeen hips) underwent decompression combined with physical therapy, and no intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications occurred. Twenty-one patients (twenty-one hips) were treated with physical therapy alone. After a mean of three years, the hip survival rate was 82% in the group treated with decompression and physical therapy and 86% in the group treated with physical therapy alone. According to a modification of the Harris hip score, the mean clinical improvement was 18.1 points for the patients treated with hip core decompression and physical therapy compared with 15.7 points for those treated with physical therapy alone. With the numbers studied, the differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized prospective study, physical therapy alone appeared to be as effective as hip core decompression followed by physical therapy in improving hip function and postponing the need for additional surgical intervention at a mean of three years after treatment.
Adult↗
Observed levels of elementary and middle school children's physical activity during physical education classes.
BACKGROUND: The benefits of childhood physical activity include fitness, weight control, and exercise habits that may carry over into adulthood. School physical education is the primary program responsible for training the nation's youth to be physically active and national objectives call for students to be engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at least 50% of class time. The purpose of this study was to determine through systematic observation in a regional sample of elementary and middle schools the amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity students obtain during physical education classes. METHODS: Twenty elementary schools and 7 middle schools were randomly sampled from the 355 elementary schools and 117 middle schools in the 20 school districts in Harris County, Texas. In addition, 9 elementary and 6 middle schools that were identified as having excellent physical education programs were sampled purposively to provide a comparison. Seven systematic observations of student's physical activity were conducted during physical education in each school. RESULTS: The average moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in the randomly selected elementary schools was 8.6%, significantly less (P < 0.05) than for the randomly selected middle schools (16.1%) or for the comparison elementary schools (20.6%) and middle schools (24.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The average amount of physical activity observed in this regional sample of schools was less than the estimated national average of 27% and far less than the national recommendation calling for a minimum of 50%.
Adolescent↗
Relations of physical self-concept and self-efficacy with frequency of voluntary physical activity in preadolescents: implications for after-school care programming.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test relations of physical self-concept and self-efficacy with voluntary physical activity in preadolescents enrolled in an after-school physical activity program. METHODS: Participants in the 2003 (n=41) and 2005 (n=84) versions of the Youth Fit For Life protocol and the control group (n=40) completed the Physical Self-Concept scale, the Exercise Barriers Self-Efficacy Scale for Children, and a recall of physical activity frequency at Weeks 1 and 12. RESULTS: Both treatment groups demonstrated significantly increased frequency of voluntary physical activity over 12 weeks. The 2005 version additionally demonstrated significant improvements in both physical self-concept and exercise barriers self-efficacy. Within the treatment groups, significant correlations between changes in physical self-concept and self-efficacy and physical activity sessions completed were found. Multiple regression indicated that 7% to 28% of the variance in voluntary physical activity was explained by the simultaneous entry of changes in physical self-concept and self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Tenets of social cognitive and self-efficacy theory were supported and suggested that curricular elements of after-school care programming may increase overall outputs of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in preadolescents.
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Exercise and physical activity in persons aging with a physical disability.
The relationship between physical functioning and physical activity isa reciprocal one; physical functioning provides the individual with the capability to engage in physical activities, and physical activity helps to maintain and in some cases improve physical functioning. This reciprocal relationship, coupled with the high prevalence of physical inactivity among persons aging with a disability, has profound implications for rehabilitation practice, especially in evaluating intermediate and long-term outcomes of clinical practice. For rehabilitation to play a role in the long-term maintenance and enhancement of physical functioning among persons with disabilities, increasing participation in various types of physical activity in the community must be part of the recovery and maintenance continuum. There is also a critical need to identify specific doses of physical activity for specific disabilities and secondary conditions. HMOs and other health insurers will require evidence-based outcomes before establishing reimbursement procedures for physical activity programs for persons aging with a physical disability.
Activities of Daily Living↗
The relationship among physical activity, obesity, and physical function in community-dwelling older women.
BACKGROUND: The relationship between obesity and physical function is not well understood. Physical activity may be a key factor impacting on the relationship between obesity and physical function. METHODS: Subjects included 171 community-dwelling women (mean age = 74.3, SD = 4.3) participating in a 14-year follow-up study to a walking intervention trial. Measures of obesity [body mass index (BMI)] and physical activity (Modified Paffenbarger Questionnaire) were collected in 1982, 1985, 1995, and 1999. Physical function was assessed in 1999 using the Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ) and gait speed. RESULTS: Measures of obesity from 1982 to 1995 and measures of physical activity from 1982 to 1995 were related to physical function in 1999. However, hierarchical regression analysis to predict physical function in 1999 controlling for the presence of chronic conditions indicated that physical activity from 1982 to 1995, and not obesity from 1982 to 1995, was an independent predictor of physical function (FSQ: adjusted R2 = 0.09, F = 4.68, P < 0.001; gait speed: adjusted R2 = 18.0, F = 9.41, P < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: Physical activity appears to be as important if not more important than body weight in predicting future physical function.
Activities of Daily Living↗
Association between physical activity, physical performance, and inflammatory biomarkers in an elderly population: the InCHIANTI study.
BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determine the association between physical activity and physical performance, and inflammatory biomarkers in elderly persons. METHODS: One thousand four persons aged 65 years or more, participants in a cross-sectional population-based study, were included. Interviewers collected information on self-reported physical activity during the previous year. Moreover, 841 participants performed a 400-meter walking test to assess physical performance. Plasma concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers were determined. RESULTS: Compared to sedentary men, men practicing light and moderate-high physical activity had a significantly lower erythrocyte sedimentation rate (-0.33 and -0.40 mm/h; p =.023 and p =.006, respectively), fibrinogen level (-43 and -39 mg/dL; p =.001 and p =.004, respectively), and logarithm of C-reactive protein (CRP) (-0.43 and -0.73 mg/L; p =.025 and p <.001, respectively), whereas only those men practicing moderate-high physical activity had a significantly lower uric acid level (-0.57 mg/dL; p =.023), log(interleukin 6) levels (-0.33 pg/mL; p =.014), and log(tumor necrosis factor-alpha) (-0.31 pg/mL; p =.030). In women, those practicing light and moderate-high physical activity had significantly lower uric acid (-0.45 and -0.34 mg/dL; p =.001 and p =.039, respectively) and log(interleukin 6) levels (-0.18 and -0.30 pg/mL; p =.043 and p =.004, respectively); only those women practicing moderate-high physical activity had significantly lower log(CRP) (-0.31 mg/L; p =.020). In women, when the analysis was adjusted for body mass index, the association between physical activity and CRP was no longer significant. Similar findings were observed when we carried these analyses according to physical performance. CONCLUSIONS: Current physical activity practice and performance are associated with inflammatory biomarkers. A significant beneficial association is already observed with light physical activity practice and intermediate performance.
Aged↗
Predicting change in physical activity, dietary restraint, and physique anxiety in adolescent girls: examining covariance in physical self-perceptions.
OBJECTIVES: To examine: i) the mean changes in adolescent females' body mass index (BMI), global self-esteem, physical self-perceptions, social physique anxiety, physical activity, and dietary restraint; ii) the stability of measuring self-perceptions, BMI, self-esteem, physique anxiety, activity, and dietary restraint; and iii) the relationships among changes in these variables over 12 months. METHODS: 631 female adolescents (15-16 years old) involved in a two-year study of self-report measures completed validated questionnaires in high school classroom settings. RESULTS: There were small but significant group increases in BMI and social physique anxiety and significant decreases in sport, conditioning, and strength physical self-perceptions and physical activity. Stability analysis indicates moderate to strong stability for all variables. Change analyses indicated that BMI, due to its high stability, is a poor predictor of change in all variables. Stronger significant correlations were noted between change in body appearance self-perceptions and change in social physique anxiety (r=-0.54) and dietary restraint (r=-0.27). There was also a significant relationship between change in physical activity and the physical self-perceptions, although conditioning was the only significant (p<0.05) predictor of change in physical activity (beta=0.340). INTERPRETATION: Physical self-perceptions are a stronger predictor of change in physical activity, dietary restraint, and social physique anxiety compared to BMI. This demonstrates the importance of physical self-perceptions when investigating health-related behaviours associated with dieting and physical activity. The decline in physical activity and increase in BMI is an ongoing concern, as is the link between body appearance self-perceptions and dietary restraint and social physique anxiety.
Adolescent↗
Effects of a physical training program on physical efficiency, work capacity and classroom-attention of handicapped children.
In the present study the effects of a ten-week physical training program on physical efficiency, work capacity and classroom-attention of 11 motorically handicapped children (between 8 and 14 years old) were examined. A physical training program for the children in the experimental group (n = 6) consisted of an intensification of the activities (assessed by means of heart rate recordings) of the scheduled physical education lessons, while the control group (n = 5) followed the same lessons without the intensity of the activities being changed. During all the lessons, the experimental group was required to achieve a minimum heart rate value of 160 beats X min-1. Physical efficiency and physical work capacity scores were calculated from the obtained relationships of respectively oxygen uptake versus workload and of oxygen uptake versus heart rate, determined during a submaximal bicycle ergometer test. Attention in the classroom was measured by means of a previously developed observation instrument. At the end of the ten-week training program a significant increase in physical efficiency and classroom-attention scores was demonstrated for the children in the experimental group. Such effects could not be demonstrated for the children in the control group. The implication that can be drawn from this finding is that the motorically handicapped children in the experimental group after having received special physical training can perform the same amount of external work with less energy expenditure. Further, their attention behaviour in the classroom situation appears to be facilitated. A follow-up study, carried out some months after the end of the training program, showed for both groups a deterioration in physical efficiency scores, while the experimental group also deteriotated in terms of their attention scores. It is suggested that an intensification of activities during the scheduled physical education lesson can have positive effects both physical and psychological on motorically handicapped children.
Adolescent↗
Physical functioning in female caregivers of children with physical disabilities compared with female caregivers of children with a chronic medical condition.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate if physical functioning is different in female caregivers of children with physical disabilities compared with female caregivers of children with nondisabling medical illnesses, and to investigate the factors associated with functioning level. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: University-based clinics. PATIENTS: Ninety consecutive female caregivers of children presenting to a pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) clinic, and 23 presenting to a pediatric endocrine clinic. INTERVENTION: Fifteen-minute self-administered survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The dependent variable measured was physical functioning (physical functioning subscale of the Short Form-36). Independent variables measured were the average back pain severity over the last week (100-mm visual analog scale), mood (using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale), work status, amount of lifting at work, caregiver demographics, child demographics, and the physical functioning ability of the child (measured using the WeeFIM scale). RESULTS: The mean (SD) physical functioning score of caregivers of children in the pediatric PM&R clinic was 80.6 (21.9), which was less than the score of 90.2 (17.6) for caregivers in the pediatric endocrine clinic (mean difference, 9.6; 95% confidence interval, -0.9 to -18.4). The physical functioning score of 77.7 (22.9) in caregivers of PM&R clinic children with a WeeFIM scale score of 1 to 4 was significantly worse than the 90.5 (14.8) in female caregivers of children with a WeeFIM score of 5 to 7 (mean difference, 12.8; 95% confidence interval, -2.0 to -23.6). This decrease is associated with the average pain severity, mood, and total length of time of back pain in the previous 12 months. Regression analysis shows that pain severity and caregiver mood are significantly related to the physical functioning status of the caregiver. CONCLUSIONS: Physical functioning is decreased in female caregivers of children with a physical disability. This decrease is associated with caregiver pain severity and mood.
Adult↗
Is physical deconditioning a perpetuating factor in chronic fatigue syndrome? A controlled study on maximal exercise performance and relations with fatigue, impairment and physical activity.
BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients often complain that physical exertion produces an increase of complaints, leading to a greater need for rest and more time spent in bed. It has been suggested that this is due to a bad physical fitness and that physical deconditioning is a perpetuating factor in CFS. Until now, studies on physical deconditioning in CFS have shown inconsistent results. METHODS: Twenty CFS patients and 20 matched neighbourhood controls performed a maximal exercise test with incremental load. Heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory tidal volume, O2 saturation, O2 consumption, CO2 production, and blood-gas values of arterialized capillary blood were measured. Physical fitness was quantified as the difference between the actual and predicted ratios of maximal workload versus increase of heart rate. Fatigue, impairment and physical activity were assessed to study its relationship with physical fitness. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in physical fitness between CFS patients and their controls. Nine CFS patients had a better fitness than their control. A negative relationship between physical fitness and fatigue was found in both groups. For CFS patients a negative correlation between fitness and impairment and a positive correlation between fitness and physical activity was found as well. Finally, it was found that more CFS patients than controls did not achieve a physiological limitation at maximal exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Physical deconditioning does not seem a perpetuating factor in CFS.
Activities of Daily Living↗
Relationship between physical strain during standardised ADL tasks and physical capacity in men with spinal cord injuries.
To describe physical strain during activities of daily living (ADL), 44 men with spinal cord injuries (C4-L5) performed a set of standardised tasks. The physical strain was defined as the highest heart rate response expressed as a percentage of the individual heart rate reserve (%HRR). The physical strain averaged over the subjects who performed all tasks (n = 24) was (mean +/- SD): 20.2 +/- 7.2 %HRR (washing hands), 20.4 +/- 7.3 %HRR (passing a side-hung door), 28.8 +/- 10.8 %HRR (transfer to a toilet), 31.2 +/- 13.1 %HRR (ascending an 8 cm curb). 33.9 +/- 12.0 %HRR (transfer to a shower seat), 35.1 +/- 10.5 %HRR (transfer to bed), 36.4 +/- 13.3 %HRR (preparing lunch), 37.1 +/- 12.0 %HRR (washing up), 38.7 +/- 14.9 %HRR (ascending a ramp), 39.8 +/- 15.6 %HRR (transfer to a shower wheelchair), 41.4 +/- 12.1 %HRR (changing sheets), and 45.9 +/- 10.4 %HRR (entering a car). Physical strain could be notably high, but large variations among subjects were present. During all tasks, subjects with tetraplegia had significantly higher levels of strain than subjects with low (T6-L5) lesions. Physical strain was inversely related to parameters of physical capacity: isometric strength (r: -0.34 to -0.72), sprint power (r: -0.34 to -0.69), peak oxygen uptake (r: -0.41 to -0.81) and maximal power output (r: -0.52 to -0.82). Parameters of physical capacity were better predictors of physical strain than was the lesion level, and explained 37-71% of the variance in strain during ADL. It was also concluded that the method used in this study provides a quantitative and objective estimation of physical strain and may therefore be a useful tool to identify task difficulty during rehabilitation and to evaluate the results of task and physical training on the physical strain during ADL.
Activities of Daily Living↗
Surrogate measures of physical activity and physical fitness. Evidence for sedentary traits of resting tachycardia, obesity, and low vital capacity.
Studies on physical activity, physical fitness, and health have been hampered because of invalid, unreliable, or impractical measures of physical activity. This report examines the validity of sedentary traits (resting tachycardia, obesity, and low vital capacity) as predictors of physical fitness as assessed by a maximal treadmill exercise test. Study participants were women (n = 3,943) and men (n = 15,627) with at least one visit to the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas. Association of the sedentary traits with physical fitness was examined by multiple regression analyses. Sedentary traits were associated with physical fitness in all age and sex groups, accounting for 12-40% of the variance in treadmill time. When smoking, a simple physical activity index, and sedentary traits were included in a model to predict physical fitness, R2 values ranged from 0.20 to 0.53 in women and 0.45 to 0.61 in men and were significant at p less than 0.0001. These models account for approximately twice as much variance in physical fitness as has been reported previously. The addition of sedentary traits measurements to a simple physical activity index provides a valid estimate of physical fitness in epidemiologic studies.
Adult↗