Abstract
Background: There are only a few studies that have assessed awareness and knowledge regarding aerobic type of physical activity (PA) guidelines recommendations, while no previous studies have examined muscular type of activity recommendation guidelines. The aim was to assess knowledge and awareness and study the associations with demographic variables and physical activity and fitness.Methods: Participants were 776 young (age 26 ± 7 years) men. Awareness and knowledge of PA recommendation guidelines were assessed by prompted questionnaires together with demographic variables and physical activity. In addition, physical fitness was measured.Results: Forty percent of the participants reported being aware of the physical activity recommendation. Moreover, 7% correctly identified the recommendations for moderate aerobic physical activity and 25% for muscular type of activity. In addition, 4% correctly identified both aerobic and muscular activity recommendations. Being aware of the PA recommendations was associated with being married or partnered, having higher education level and being more physically active during leisure-time (p < 0.05). Individuals with no awareness of the recommendations had lower results in cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness compared to those being aware (p < 0.05). Being married or partnered was positively associated with the knowledge of the muscular activity recommendations (p < 0.05). Moreover, the individuals with correct knowledge of the PA recommendations had higher levels of muscular fitness (p < 0.05).Conclusion: A low number of individuals are aware or know the physical activity recommendations among young adult men. Therefore, more vigorous attempts to promote physical activity recommendations are needed.
Highlights
Physical activity (PA) is an important factor in health promotion and disease prevention, and physical inactivity is linked with many chronic diseases and their risk factors (1)
40% of the young adult Finnish men reported being aware of the present PA recommendations only 7% correctly identified the recommendation for moderate aerobic PA and 25% for muscular type of activity recommendation
Education, leisure-time PA, and selected fitness variables were positively associated with awareness, whereas selected fitness variables were positively associated with correct knowledge of both aerobic and muscular PA recommendations
Summary
Physical activity (PA) is an important factor in health promotion and disease prevention, and physical inactivity is linked with many chronic diseases and their risk factors (1). In 1990’s the PA recommendations included health-related aspects emphasizing moderate intensity physical activity with the mention of accumulating physical activity from shorter bouts (≥10 min). These recommendations concluded that adults should accumulate 30 min or more on most days of the week (3). There are only a few studies that have assessed awareness and knowledge regarding aerobic type of physical activity (PA) guidelines recommendations, while no previous studies have examined muscular type of activity recommendation guidelines. The aim was to assess knowledge and awareness and study the associations with demographic variables and physical activity and fitness
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
