Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PHYSICS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Association between habitual physical activity and parameters of physical fitness in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between physical activity and the morphological, functional and physiological components of physical fitness in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 162 postmenopausal women, 40-65 years of age, who verbally responded to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire applied to evaluate their level of physical activity. Physical fitness was evaluated by measuring body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, maximum oxygen consumption, plasma levels of total and fractional cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting glucose, as well as blood pressure. RESULTS: Approximately 83.5% of the women were active, principal physical activities being household chores and transportation walking. Approximately 80% of the women were overweight or obese and presented a waist circumference indicative of high or very high risk for cardiovascular disease, and fat percentage above 33%. Over 50% were found to have low oxygen consumption. There were no significant differences between the groups of active and inactive women with respect to mean body mass index (p = 0.43), percentage of body fat (p = 0.60), hip-to-waist ratio (p = 0.93), waist circumference (p = 0.44), maximum VO2 (p = 0.32), total cholesterol (p = 0.43), fasting glucose (p = 0.73), and systolic (p = 0.79) or diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.48). Adjusted prevalence ratios also showed no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Habitual physical activity is not associated with variations in the components that are used to describe physical fitness. It is important to encourage physical activity and provide guidelines to ensure that it is carried out in the quantity, duration and intensity required for improving physical fitness level and obtaining health benefits.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1999

Daily primary school physical education: effects on physical activity during adult life.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to study the influence of a daily primary school physical education program on physical activity (PA) level, attitudes toward physical activity, and perceptions of barriers to physical activity during adulthood. METHODS: We compared two groups: 1) an experimental group of men and women (N = 147) who had received five physical education sessions per week throughout their 6 yr of primary school education in the early 1970s; and 2) a control group, drawn from the data bank of the Québec Health Survey, and matched for age, gender, and socioeconomic profile (N = 720). Experimental and control subjects filled out an identical questionnaire about their current physical activity level, their attitudes toward PA, and their perceptions of barriers to PA. The control group was stratified to obtain the same sociodemographic profile as the experimental group. RESULTS: Our principal results were: 1) a frequency distribution that showed a higher rate of physical activity in experimental women than in control women; 2) similar intentions to exercise and attitudes toward exercise in the experimental and control groups, with no differences in opportunities for exercising or in the support received from their family and friends; and 3) a lower prevalence of regular smokers in experimental men than in control men. There were also some differences in the types and frequency of physical activities selected between experimental and control subjects. CONCLUSION: Our results strongly suggest that daily physical education at the primary school level has had a significant long-term positive effect on the exercise habits on women, despite similar perceived barriers, attitudes, and intention to exercise in the two groups. The program has also had a significant health effect in men, substantially reducing the risk of becoming a regular smoker. Because the program was not specifically designed to promote health, we hypothesize that a health-oriented physical education program could have an even stronger effect.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Tracking physical fitness and physical activity from childhood to adolescence: the muscatine study.

PURPOSE: Physical fitness and physical activity tracking data enhance our understanding as to when children settle into their long-term exercise and fitness patterns and, therefore. provide insight as to when programs focusing on preventing sedentary adults behaviors should be initiated. METHODS: In this paper, the tracking of physical fitness and physical activity was examined in a 5-yr population-based study of children and adolescents in Muscatine, IA. Study subjects (N = 126) were pre- or early-pubescent at baseline (mean age boys 10.8 yr and girls 10.3 yr). Physical fitness was measured using direct determination of oxygen uptake and maximal voluntary isometric contraction while physical activity was assessed via questionnaire. RESULTS: Boys classified as sedentary based on initial measurements of TV viewing and video game playing were 2.2 times more likely than their peers to also be classified as sedentary at follow-up. Tracking of most physical fitness and physical activity variables was moderate to high, indicating some predictability of early measurements for later values. Sedentary behavior tracked better in boys, whereas vigorous activity tended to track better in girls. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that preventive efforts focused on maintaining physical fitness and physical activity through puberty will have favorable health benefits in later years.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1996

Gender differences in physical activity and determinants of physical activity in rural fifth grade children.

This study determined if gender differences in physical activity could be accounted for by differences in selected social-cognitive determinants of activity behavior. Some 334 fifth grade, predominantly African-American students provided information regarding after-school physical activity and the hypothesized determinants of activity behavior. Boys reported significantly greater participation in vigorous ( > or = 6 METs) and in moderate to vigorous ( > or = 4 METs). Relative to girls, boys demonstrated higher levels of physical fitness, greater self-efficacy in overcoming barriers to physical activity, greater amounts of television watching, and higher levels of participation in community sports and physical activity organizations. When mean physical activity scores for girls and boys were adjusted for the effects of these determinant variables, the significant gender difference in physical activity remained. However, adjustment for self-efficacy in overcoming barriers and community sports reduced the gender gap by 5% and 7%, respectively. In contrast, adjustment for television watching increased the gender gap by about 8%. Results indicated perceived confidence in overcoming barriers to physical activity and participation in community physical activity programs are factors related to the gender difference in physical activity.

Child↗
PubMed2004

Leisure time physical activity and strenuousness of work as predictors of physical functioning: a 28 year follow up of a cohort of industrial employees.

AIMS: To examine associations of leisure time physical activity and physical strenuousness of work with physical functioning 28 years later. METHODS: A cohort (n = 902) of metal industry employees was studied for exercise and housework activity in 1973 and 1978, and for BMI, current smoking, strenuousness of work, grip strength, and chronic diseases in 1973. Of the 670 survivors in 2000, 529 (79%) responded to all studied items in a follow up questionnaire including the SF-36 Physical Functioning (PF) scale. Belonging to the lower quartile of the PF scale denoted poor functioning. RESULTS: Vigorous exercise and housework activity were inversely associated with poor PF 28 years later in both white-collar and blue-collar workers. Engaging in activities of any intensity was similarly associated among the blue-collar workers. In a multiple logistic regression model including as independent variables age, sex, occupational class, the number of chronic diseases, vigorous leisure time physical activity, BMI, physical work strenuousness, and smoking (all measured at baseline), the risk of poor PF at follow up was decreased by vigorous leisure time physical activity and increased by high physical strenuousness of work, high BMI, and smoking. The effect of work strenuousness was mainly due to that among the blue-collar group. Allowing for baseline grip strength did not materially alter the results. CONCLUSION: Vigorous leisure time physical activity decreased the risk of poor physical functioning as perceived considerably later in life, while high work strenuousness, smoking, and overweight increased it. Among blue-collar workers a beneficial association was observed with all leisure time activity, including that of lower intensity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

The effectiveness of two psychomotor therapy programmes on physical fitness and physical self-concept in nonpsychotic psychiatric patients: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the changes in cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, and the changes in physical self-concept after participation in one of two psychomotor therapy programmes in a sample group of psychiatric patients. To study the relationship between the changes in physical fitness and the changes in physical self-concept. DESIGN: Randomized controlled parallel-group trial with repeated measures. SETTING: Three treatment units of a university psychiatric hospital in Belgium. SUBJECTS: One hundred and ninety-nine patients with severe symptoms of depression and/or anxiety, and/or personality disorders. INTERVENTIONS: A general programme of psychomotor therapy, consisting of different forms of physical exercises and relaxation training, and a personalized psychomotor fitness programme, consisting of aerobic and resistance training. These programmes were followed three times a week for a period of 16 weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES: The maximum dynamic strength, the strength endurance, physical work capacity at 60% and 80% of the estimated maximal heart rate reserve, and the physical self-concept by means of the Dutch version of the Physical Self-Perception Profile. RESULTS: After eight weeks, both groups exhibited an improvement in muscular fitness (both p-values < 0.0001), but only the psychomotor fitness group had improved in cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.01). After 16 weeks, the patients in the general programme of psychomotor therapy had not increased in cardiorespiratory fitness. At the end of the 16-week programmes, both groups showed a more positive physical self-concept (p from 0.01 to < 0.0001). However, these improvements were not related to the progress in physical fitness. CONCLUSIONS: The main difference in the effectiveness of the two programmes was the increase in cardiorespiratory fitness in the psychomotor fitness group. The gains in fitness did not play an essential role in the enhancement of physical self-concept.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Physical activity and its relationship to physical performance in patients with end stage knee osteoarthritis.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational design. OBJECTIVES: To compare physical activity levels in men and women with end-stage knee osteoarthritis to those of a comparison group and to examine the relationship between physical activity level and physical performance. BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis of the knee is associated with significant losses in functional performance and high social costs. Although reductions in physical activity are reported, they have not been quantified or explored. METHODS AND MEASURES: Fifty-nine candidates awaiting total knee arthroplasty (TKAC group) and 79 individuals without osteoarthritis (comparison group) participated. Physical activity was assessed using the Voorrips Questionnaire. Performance measures included fast self-paced walk test, timed up-and-go test, and a timed stair performance measure. A subset of subjects completed the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and underwent muscular strength and endurance testing. The effects of gender and group were tested using GLM ANOVA. Pearson product moment correlations were used to examine relationships between the variables. RESULTS: All aspects of physical activity were lower (P<.001) in the TKAC group, with a moderate difference in household score (18%) and a large difference in leisure activities (63%). Unlike the comparison group, modest but significant correlations (r = 0.31-0.33, P<.03) were observed between overall physical activity and performance test scores for the TKAC group. Physical activity was not significantly related to pain reported on the WOMAC or during the performance tasks. CONCLUSIONS: The belief that pain limits the physical activity of patients with severe osteoarthritis requires further investigation. The profound differences between a comparison group and patients with end-stage osteoarthritis in physical activity have critical implications for the well-being and effective treatment of this population.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

[Physical activity and physical performance in children and adolescents].

BACKGROUND: Research and general experience regarding the importance of physical activity in adults on various parameters such as performance ability and weight control is often extrapolated to be valid for children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This article is a brief review of research on physical activity level and performance ability in children and adolescents. RESULTS: Findings regarding physical activity level and physical fitness are reviewed. INTERPRETATION: The absence of reference material which goes 20-30 years back in time as well as contradictive findings on whether changes in social structure have caused a reduction in physical activity, makes it difficult to draw conclusions. The relationship between physical activity and physical fitness is not clear. Growth per se leads to methodical problems regarding whether it is the activity or maturation that cause changes in physical parameters. Contradictory results might partly be a consequence of the different methods used. An important challenge in future research on physical fitness is to establish a reference material with valid measures of physical activity levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Mandatory continuing education in physical therapy: survey of physical therapists in states with and states without a mandate.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although formal continuing education (CE) in physical therapy is one part of professional development, its value for renewing licensure is not shared by all states. The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in how physical therapists pursue formal continuing education on the basis of state mandate, sex, years of experience, practice specialty, American Physical Therapy Association membership, motivation, and perception of the benefits of CE. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A survey questionnaire was sent to 3,000 physical therapists in 7 states--1,500 to physical therapists in states with mandatory CE and 1,500 to physical therapists in states without a requirement. A total of 1,145 usable survey questionnaires were returned, for a response rate of 38.2%. RESULTS: Physical therapists in states with mandatory CE averaged 33.8 hours of CE per year, whereas physical therapists in states without a mandate averaged 28.3 hours per year; 5.9% of therapists in states without a mandate reported taking no CE at all, and 10.8% reported taking 2 or fewer hours of CE within the preceding 5 years. No statistically significant relationships were observed between the amount of CE taken and years of experience, sex, or practice specialty. Therapists who reported membership in the American Physical Therapy Association participated in 7.2 more hours of CE per year than therapists who did not report membership. Significant motivational variables that respondents noted for taking CE were state mandate, increased clinical competence, and certification. Therapists overwhelmingly (96.2%) believed that CE had a beneficial effect on their clinical practice. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Results from this study suggest that mandatory CE does have a significant association with the number of formal CE hours taken by physical therapists.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1991

Physical activity, physical fitness, and cardiovascular risk factors.

Physical activity at work and during leisure time, physical fitness, and cardiovascular risk factors are analysed in a birth cohort of 577 Danish men examined in 1976 at age 40 and in 1987 at age 51. Despite increasing age, the physical activity over the 11 years was relatively constant during leisure time, but decreasing at work. While there was no correlation between socioeconomic status and physical activity during leisure time at age 40, there was a clear tendency towards greater activity among those belonging to the higher social strata in the study of the 51-year-old. At both time points, there was a negative correlation between socio-economic status and physical activity at work; that is, physical activity at work decreases with increasing socio-economic status. There was no tendency towards a more beneficial cardiovascular risk profile among those increasing their physical activity during leisure time as compared with those with a constant or decreasing activity. As expected, physical activity during leisure time correlated with the cardiovascular risk factors, whereas physical activity at work did not. Increased physical activity during leisure time reduced the serum cholesterol level only in those men who concomitantly reduced their body weight. The study corroborates results from other countries demonstrating increasing inequalities between social strata as to the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The assessment of physical activity by leisure-time physical activity questionnaires.

The assessment of physical activity by questionnaire is currently the most popular and practical method of quantifying physical activity levels. Many questionnaires, past and present, have considered overall or habitual physical activity, which includes occupational (or nonleisure) activity. Others have focused specifically on leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) owing to the recognition of its dominating contribution to the total physical activity of developed populations. This review covers questionnaires that wholly or in part attend to LTPA levels. Typically, self-complete or interviewer-administered questionnaires record information on the types, frequency and duration of activities performed over a particular period of time. Activity-specific energy cost values, expressed in metabolic equivalents (METS) or kilocalories, are then commonly used to estimate the total energy expenditure from all activities and/or categories of activities. The validation of LTPA questionnaires has had to rely upon indirect methods, such as the assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and activity diaries. The reporting of the reliability of questionnaires has frequently been ignored, although in cases where it has been reported, doubt exists as to whether the consistency of the questionnaire or the consistency of subjects' physical activity habits were being examined. LTPA questionnaires first appeared in the literature in the mid-1960s for use among specific, mainly middle-aged male population groups. Though they varied in their modes of scoring, periods of activity recall, and overall complexity, associations were universally observed between physical activity levels and chronic health conditions. However, it became apparent that different questionnaires did not yield the same results. In 1978, a questionnaire to assess only LTPA, the Minnesota LTPA Questionnaire, was published and despite its substantial limitations, has since established itself as the most popular option available. In recent years, shorter and simpler alternatives have been advocated, though most have yet to be adequately scrutinised. Associations have been found between LTPA and fitness levels, prompting the use of LTPA questionnaires in large-scale fitness surveys of both adults and children. Although LTPA has continued to be estimated in terms of energy expenditure, little attempt has been made to extend existing knowledge on the energy cost of physical activities. Existing values do not accommodate for individual intensities and inter-population activity variations. Consequently, standardised questionnaires are not yet viable. There exists considerable scope for further work with LTPA questionnaires, especially since the association between coronary heart disease and physical activity is now well recognised. Efforts ought to be directed at wider social groups for whom leisure-time activity may have distinct implications.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Recognition of emotional distress in physically healthy primary care patients who perceive poor physical health.

This study examines the recognition and treatment of emotional distress in physically healthy primary care patients who perceive themselves to be in fair or poor physical health. Patients (N = 892) from three private primary care practices completed a mental health screening form prior to their medical visit which included an overall assessment of their physical health (1 = excellent, 2 = good, 3 = fair, 4 = poor). Following the visit, their physicians completed a questionnaire that included the same physical health assessment item. The study group, physically healthy patients who perceive poor physical health (HPPPH), included those patients who rated their physical health as 2 or 3 points more impaired than it was rated by their physician. HPPPH (N = 39) were significantly more likely than other patients (N = 853) to report a prior psychiatric hospitalization (p < 0.05), marital difficulties (p < 0.01), recent missed work due to a mental health problem (p < 0.001), and a range of anxiety, depressive, and psychosomatic symptoms. However, HPPPH were also significantly more likely than other patients to receive excellent emotional health ratings (p < 0.001) from their physicians and were less likely to receive mental health treatment (p < 0.05). Detection of emotional distress may be particularly difficult in physically healthy patients who have low physical health perceptions. Identification of pessimistic physical health perceptions may serve as an indicator for underlying emotional distress.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Personal, social, and physical environmental correlates of physical activity levels in urban Latinas.

BACKGROUND: Nationwide, Hispanic women report low levels of physical activity and bear excess health risk associated with inactivity. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity levels and sociodemographic, social environmental, and physical environmental factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, community-based convenience sample of 285 Hispanic/Latino women completed a face-to-face survey administered in Spanish. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following categories of physical activity were used in analyses: "meets current national recommendations," which includes women who reported engaging in moderate activity at least 5 days per week for at least 30 minutes or who engaged in vigorous activity at least 3 days per week for at least 20 minutes; "insufficiently active" for women not meeting moderate or vigorous objectives; and "inactive" for women who report no moderate or vigorous physical activity. RESULTS: The majority of women (46%) were aged 20 to 29 years, 48% have less than or equal to a high school education, 72% are employed, 43% speak Spanish, and 76% are from Central or South America. A total of 37% of the women met physical activity recommendations, 23% were inactive, and 40% were insufficiently active. Personal and physical environmental factors were not statistically significant correlates of activity level comparison groups; however, most indicated trends in the hypothesized direction. Social environmental factors that showed statistically significant relationships with various physical activity comparison groups included the following: Women were significantly less likely to be active if they reported knowing people who exercise (odds ratio [OR]=0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.76), reported that there are people in the neighborhood who exercise (adjusted OR=0.19; 95% CI, 0.09-0.42), belonged to community groups (OR=0.32; 95% CI, 0.15-0.69), or attended religious services (OR=0.41; 95% CI, 0.41-0.72). CONCLUSION: Social environmental factors appeared to be the most important factors related to physical activity in this group of Latino women. Physical environment and personal factors, although not statistically significant, showed trends in expected directions and should be explored further.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Spontaneous physical activity in a respiratory chamber is correlated to habitual physical activity.

OBJECTIVE: During a stay in a respiratory chamber without an exercise protocol, physical activity is limited to activities of daily living, change of posture and 'fidgeting,' collectively referred to as spontaneous physical activity (SPA). SPA is quite variable among individuals and is a heritable trait. A low SPA during a chamber stay is a predictor of weight gain in men. However, it remains to be established whether physical activity in a respiratory chamber relates to physical activity under habitual, free-living conditions. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether physical activity in a chamber is correlated to habitual, free-living physical activity. DESIGN: Fifty healthy, non-diabetic Pima Indians (30 M/20 F, 30+/-6 y; 37+/-10% body fat; means+/-s.d.) completed a 24 h stay in the respiratory chamber followed by a 7 day measurement of habitual, free-living energy expenditure by doubly labeled water. Free-living physical activity was expressed as activity energy expenditure (AEE(FL); daily energy expenditure-(sleeping metabolic rate+thermic effect of food)), physical activity level (PAL(FL); daily energy expenditure/sleeping metabolic rate) and body-size independent activity units. Activity during the chamber stay was expressed as PAL(Ch), AEE(Ch), and based on radar sensor measurements, as percentage of time with activity (SPA(Radar)). RESULTS: AEE(FL) (averaging 930+/-310 kcal/day (3.89+/-1.30 MJ/day)) was correlated to AEE(CH) (averaging 440+/-160 kcal/day (1.84+/-0.67 MJ/day)) and higher in men than in women (r=0.53, P=0.003) and r=0.53, P=0.02, respectively). Likewise, PAL(FL) (averaging 1.75+/-0.21) was correlated to PAL(Ch) (averaging 1.42+/-0.10) and higher in men than in women (r=0.49, P=0.006 and r=0.42, P=0.02, respectively). Free-living activity expressed in body-size independent activity units (averaging 17.8+/-7.0) was correlated to SPA(Radar) (averaging 6.4+/-1.7) with no effect of sex (r=0.30, P=0.03). CONCLUSION: Physical activity in a respiratory chamber was correlated to habitual physical activity, whether expressed as AEE, PAL or body-size independent activity units, providing a plausible explanation for the demonstrated association between a low SPA in the chamber and weight gain. The study encourages further studies of the genetic and non-genetic determinants of SPA and non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT).

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence of overweight, obesity and physical inactivity in 20- to 29-year-old, Danish men. Relation to sociodemography, physical dysfunction and low socioeconomic status: the Odense Androgen Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of overweight, obesity and physical inactivity in 20- to 29-year-old men and to analyze whether sociodemography, physical dysfunction and low socioeconomic status are independent correlates of obesity and physical inactivity. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Seven hundred and eighty-three Caucasian, Danish men, aged 20-29 years recruited from 2042 respondents in a questionnaire survey of 3000 men, randomly drawn from the Danish Civil Registration System. METHODS: Questionnaire, interview and physical examination. RESULTS: The 783 included men and the 2042 questionnaire respondents matched the background population demographically. The 783 men matched the questionnaire respondents as regards BMI, physical activity, chronic disease, medication, smoking, sociodemography and socioeconomic status. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 31.7 and 7.9%, respectively (World Health Organization criteria). Using waist circumference (WC) cutoffs of 94 and 102 cm, the prevalence was 16.2 and 10.6%, respectively; 24.4% were physically inactive. BMI and WC increased significantly from age 20 to 29 years. Physical activity decreased significantly with age and correlated inversely with WC, but not with BMI. Occupation, geography, partner status, fatherhood and tobacco exposure were independently related with obesity and physical inactivity. Obesity was also related to musculoskeletal complaints, whereas chronic diseases and low educational level were associated with physical inactivity. Age was not independently related with either outcome. CONCLUSION: In affluent societies, sociodemographic changes may partly explain the age-related decrease in physical activity and the parallel increase in WC and BMI.

Adiposity↗
PubMed2006

Girls' perception of physical environmental factors and transportation: reliability and association with physical activity and active transport to school.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary evidence suggests that the physical environment and transportation are associated with youth physical activity levels. Only a few studies have examined the association of physical environmental factors on walking and bicycling to school. Therefore, the purpose of this study was (1) to examine the test-retest reliability of a survey designed for youth to assess perceptions of physical environmental factors (e.g. safety, aesthetics, facilities near the home) and transportation, and (2) to describe the associations of these perceptions with both physical activity and active transport to school. METHODS: Test and retest surveys, administered a median of 12 days later, were conducted with 480 sixth- and eighth-grade girls in or near six U.S. communities. The instrument consisted of 24 questions on safety and aesthetics of the perceived environment and transportation and related facilities. Additionally, girls were asked if they were aware of 14 different recreational facilities offering structured and unstructured activities, and if so, whether they would visit these facilities and the ease with which they could access them. Test-retest reliability was determined using kappa coefficients, overall and separately by grade. Associations with physical activity and active transport to school were examined using mixed model logistic regression (n = 610), adjusting for grade, race/ethnicity, and site. RESULTS: Item-specific reliabilities for questions assessing perceived safety and aesthetics of the neighborhood ranged from 0.31 to 0.52. Reliabilities of items assessing awareness of and interest in going to the 14 recreational facilities ranged from 0.47 to 0.64. Reliabilities of items assessing transportation ranged from 0.34 to 0.58. Some items on girls' perceptions of perceived safety, aesthetics of the environment, facilities, and transportation were important correlates of physical activity and, in some cases, active transport to school. CONCLUSION: This study provides some psychometric support for the use of the questionnaire on physical environmental factors and transportation for studying physical activity and active transport to school among adolescent girls. Further work can continue to improve reliability of these self-report items and examine their association of these factors with objectively measured physical activity.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Physical activity, physical function, and stages of change in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize physical activity and physical function by stage of change and age in older adults. METHODS: One thousand two hundred thirty-four individuals completed The Yale physical activity survey (YPAS), stage of change for exercise, and the Up-and-Go physical function test. RESULTS: Most subjects were in the maintenance (50.4%) or precontemplation stages (21/0%). YPAS scores were higher and Upand-Go scores were lower as exercise stage increased. Physical activity and physical function scores were lower in older age groups. CONCLUSION: Higher stages were positively associated with physical activity and physical function. Age was a significant moderator variable affecting stage, physical activity, and physical function.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Physical activity in childhood and adolescence as predictor of physical activity in young adulthood.

BACKGROUND: Despite the general belief that physical activity in childhood and youth is an important prerequisite for the physical activity in adulthood, there is not much information based on reliable longitudinal studies about the continuity of physical activity from childhood and adolescence to adulthood. METHODS: As a part of a national-level research program called "Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finnus," we studied to what extent leisure-time physical activity at the age of 9, 12, 15, and 18 predicts physical activity nine and 12 years later. A total of 610 9-year-old, 624 12-year-old, 572 15-year-old, and 503 18-year-old boys and girls were studied in 1980. A follow-up measurement was carried out with the same subjects in 1983, 1986, 1989, and 1992. Accordingly, in 1992 they were 21, 24, 27, and 30 years of age. These data concern only the measurements taken in 1980, 1989, and 1992. Physical activity was measured by means of a short questionnaire. A sum index of physical activity (PAI) was computed with the help of five variables. RESULTS: The correlations between the indices derived in 1980 and 1989, and between those derived in 1980 and 1992, were, with the exception of one group, significant but low varying within a nine-year interval from .18 to .47, and within a 12-year interval from .00 to .27. Corresponding multiple correlations varied from .18 to .53 and from .18 to .30. Participation in competitive sport and the physical education grade were the best predictors of later physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The results gave support to the conclusion that persistent participation in sport in particular increases the probability of a higher level of physical activity in later life.

Adolescent↗