Minutes Of Vigorous-intensity Physical Activity Research Articles

The Effectiveness of an After-school Sport Sampling Intervention on Urban Middle School Youth in the Midwest: Posttest-Only Study

Effective and scalable interventions are needed to combat chronic low levels of youth physical activity. After-school sport sampling programs may be vital interventions for teaching sports and increasing physical literacy and physical activity, which result in healthy lifelong habits that are maintained into adulthood. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of an after-school sport sampling intervention among underserved youth in the Midwest. Youth (n=81) in 3 middle schools within a large Midwest city participated in an 8-month, after-school physical activity intervention that aimed to increase moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity, improve physical literacy, and decrease BMI. Difference scores for this 2-group, posttest-only design were calculated. A series of 2-tailed t tests were conducted to assess between-group differences. The intervention group had significantly better physical literacy (t115=7.57; P=.004) and engaged in more moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity minutes per week (t115=4.28; P=.04) and steps per day (t115=4.29; P=.03). An after-school sport sampling program may be an effective solution for combating youth physical inactivity. Future research should assess the scalability of this intervention with larger populations and in different areas. RR2-10.2196/37126.

Current Status of Physical Activity in South Korea.

The health benefits of physical activity have been well established. However, more than a quarter of the adult population in the world is insufficiently active (not performing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or any equivalent combination of the two), and there has been little improvement since 2001. In South Korea, the prevalence of insufficient physical activity was 54.4% in adults and 94.1% in adolescents in 2020. There was continuous decrease in the prevalence of sufficient aerobic physical activity, from 58.3% in 2014 to 45.6% in 2020. However, daily duration of sedentary behavior increased from 7.5 to 8.6 hours in the same period. Interventions to promote physical activity are necessary in various fields including clinical and policy approaches. As physical activity has decreased during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, safer and more effective strategies to promote physical activity are required.

Exercise Consideration for People with Obesity Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic: a Scoping Review

Introduction: The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been limiting people’s activities outside the home in order to reduce the spread of the virus. This limitation causes a decrease in people's physical activity patterns. Physical activity is important for people with obesity to avoid further increase in body weight or even to help to reduce body weight. The aim of the review reports physical activities that can be done by people affected by obesity in the covid-19 pandemic. The method: The scoping review method is used to map the type of physical activities for obese people. Two databases namely PubMed and EBSCO-host have been used for literature searching. The result: Ten articles were selected, namely research that included obese people of various ages such as children, adults, and the elderly. There were eight physical activities recommendations that obese people can do. There was a moderate physical activity which includes both aerobic and anaerobic training, low-intensity exercise and breathing exercise, leisure-time physical activities, home training such as pilates, yoga, and dancing, and then gym at home with simple equipment for bodyweight, isometric, resistance band, and hand-held weight exercise. Duration for exercise is recommended for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. Conclusion: Many types of physical activity can be done by obese people in the covid-19 related lockdown and restriction to keep the body maintain health, to reduce body weight, and prevent exacerbations of obesity.

A population-based study of the associations between neighbourhood walkability and different types of physical activity in Canadian men and women

Few Canadian studies have examined whether or not associations between neighbourhood walkability and physical activity differ by sex. We estimated associations between perceived neighbourhood walkability and physical activity among Canadian men and women. This study included cross-sectional survey data from participants in ‘Alberta's Tomorrow Project’ (Canada; n = 14,078), a longitudinal cohort study. The survey included socio-demographic items as well as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the abbreviated Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS-A), which captured perceived neighbourhood built characteristics. We computed subscale and overall walkability scores from NEWS-A responses. Covariate-adjusted generalized linear models estimated the associations of participation (≥10 min/week) and minutes of different types of physical activity, including transportation walking (TW), leisure walking (LW), moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA), and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) with walkability scores. Walkability was positively associated with participation in TW, LW, MPA and VPA and minutes of TW, LW, and VPA. Among men, a negative association was found between street connectivity and VPA participation. Additionally, crime safety was negatively associated with VPA minutes among men. Among women, pedestrian infrastructure was positively associated with LW participation and overall walkability was positively associated with VPA minutes. Notably, overall walkability was positively associated with LW participation among men and women. Different perceived neighbourhood walkability characteristics might be associated with participation and time spent in different types of physical activity among men and women living in Alberta. Interventions designed to modify perceptions of neighbourhood walkability might influence initiation or maintenance of different types of physical activity.

Strength Training versus Aerobic Exercise in Relation to Cause-Specific Mortality

BACKGROUND: Physical activity guidelines recommend that all adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) per week, and also state that adults should engage in muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) two or more times per week. While many studies have examined the association between aerobic MVPA and mortality, few have examined the association between MSA independent of or in combination with aerobic MVPA and mortality. PURPOSE: To examine the role of MSA in relation to mortality independent of, and in combination with, MVPA. METHODS: Data from 72,440 men and women enrolled in the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort who completed a lifestyle and medical survey (including information on MVPA and MSA) in 2001 were available for analysis. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression modeling was used to compute hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to examine the association between MSA (none versus any) and total mortality. In addition, effect modification by MVPA (<8.75, 8.75-<17.5, and 17.5+ MET-hours per week) and body mass index (BMI, kg/m2: normal weight 18.5-24.9, overweight 25.0-29.9, obese 30.0+) was examined. RESULTS: During 12 years of follow-up (2001-2013), 18,023 deaths occurred. After adjusting for MVPA and other potential confounders, engaging in any MSA was associated with a modest, albeit statistically significant, lower risk of total mortality compared to no MSA (HR=0.93, 95% CI 0.89-0.98). Associations were similar when examining cardiovascular disease and cancer-specific mortality. There was no evidence of effect modification by MVPA (interaction p=0.66). The association between MSA and mortality was limited to normal weight individuals (HR=0.88, 95% CI 0.83-0.94), with no association among overweight (HR=0.97, 95% CI 0.90-1.05) or obese (HR=1.03, 95% CI 0.91-1.17) individuals (p for interaction=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Engaging in any MSA as part of a physical activity regimen is associated with a modest mortality benefit, regardless of aerobic MVPA participation. MSA may have a greater reduction in risk of normal weight vs overweight or obese individuals.

Abstract P063: The Association Between Physical Activity and Fasting and 2-Hour Glucose in US Adults: NHANES 2013-2014

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&gt;0.20). Additionally, none of the physical activity minutes was associated with fasting glucose (p&gt;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.

Walking in Relation to Mortality in a Large Prospective Cohort of Older U.S. Adults.

Engaging in >150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity weekly is recommended for optimal health. The relationship between walking, the most common activity especially for older adults, and total mortality is not well documented. Data from a large U.S. prospective cohort study including 62,178 men (mean age 70.7 years) and 77,077 women (mean age 68.9 years), among whom 24,688 men and 18,933 women died during 13 years of follow-up (1999-2012), were used to compute multivariable-adjusted hazard rate ratios and 95% CIs for walking as the sole form of activity or adjusted for other moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity in relation to total and cause-specific mortality (data analysis 2015-2016). Inactivity compared with walking only at less than recommended levels was associated with higher all-cause mortality (hazard rate ratio=1.26, 95% CI=1.21, 1.31). Meeting one to two times the recommendations through walking only was associated with lower all-cause mortality (hazard rate ratio=0.80, 95% CI=0.78, 0.83). Associations with walking adjusted for other moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity were similar to walking only. Walking was most strongly associated with respiratory disease mortality followed by cardiovascular disease mortality and then cancer mortality. In older adults, walking below minimum recommended levels is associated with lower all-cause mortality compared with inactivity. Walking at or above physical activity recommendations is associated with even greater decreased risk. Walking is simple, free, and does not require any training, and thus is an ideal activity for most Americans, especially as they age.

Neighbourhood built environment characteristics associated with different types of physical activity in Canadian adults.

The aim of this study was to estimate the associations between neighbourhood built environment characteristics and transportation walking (TW), recreational walking (RW), and moderate-intensity (MPA) and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) in adults independent of sociodemographic characteristics and residential self-selection (i.e. the reasons related to physical activity associated with a person's choice of neighbourhood). In 2007 and 2008, 4423 Calgary adults completed land-based telephone interviews capturing physical activity, sociodemographic characteristics and reasons for residential self-selection. Using spatial data, we estimated population density, proportion of green space, path/cycleway length, business density, bus stop density, city-managed tree density, sidewalk length, park type mix and recreational destination mix within a 1.6 km street network distance from the participants' geolocated residential postal code. Generalized linear models estimated the associations between neighbourhood built environment characteristics and weekly neighbourhood-based physical activity participation (≥ 10 minutes/week; odds ratios [ORs]) and, among those who reported participation, duration of activity (unstandardized beta coefficients [B]). The sample included more women (59.7%) than men (40.3%) and the mean (standard deviation) age was 47.1 (15.6) years. TW participation was associated with intersection (OR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.20) and business (OR = 1.52; 1.29 to 1.78) density, and sidewalk length (OR = 1.19; 1.09 to 1.29), while TW minutes was associated with business (B = 19.24 minutes/week; 11.28 to 27.20) and tree (B = 6.51; 2.29 to 10.72 minutes/week) density, and recreational destination mix (B = -8.88 minutes/ week; -12.49 to -5.28). RW participation was associated with path/cycleway length (OR = 1.17; 1.05 to 1.31). MPA participation was associated with recreational destination mix (OR = 1.09; 1.01 to 1.17) and sidewalk length (OR = 1.10; 1.02 to 1.19); however, MPA minutes was negatively associated with population density (B = -8.65 minutes/ week; -15.32 to -1.98). VPA participation was associated with sidewalk length (OR = 1.11; 1.02 to 1.20), path/cycleway length (OR = 1.12; 1.02 to 1.24) and proportion of neighbourhood green space (OR = 0.89; 0.82 to 0.98). VPA minutes was associated with tree density (B = 7.28 minutes/week; 0.39 to 14.17). Some neighbourhood built environment characteristics appear important for supporting physical activity participation while others may be more supportive of increasing physical activity duration. Modifications that increase the density of utilitarian destinations and the quantity of available sidewalks in established neighbourhoods could increase overall levels of neighbourhood-based physical activity.

Physical activity disparities by socioeconomic status among metabolic syndrome patients: The Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Physical activity plays an important role in preventing further progression of metabolic syndrome conditions to cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes. This study investigated physical activity disparities by socioeconomic status among metabolic syndrome patients. The fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010–2012) data were analyzed (n=19,831). A revised definition of the US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III was used for screening metabolic syndrome patients. Using International Physical Activity Questionnaire, physical activity adherence was defined as participating in 150+ minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, 75+ minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. Socioeconomic status was measured by level of education and house-hold income. Among metabolic syndrome patients, physical activity adherence rate of first (lowest), second, third, and fourth quartile house-hold income group were 28.31% (95% confidence interval [CI], 26.14–30.28%), 34.68% (95% CI, 32.71–36.70), 37.44% (95% CI, 35.66–39.25), and 43.79% (95% CI, 41.85–45.75). Physical activity adherence rate of groups with elementary or lower, middle-school, high-school, and college or higher education degree were 25.17% (95% CI, 22.95–27.54), 38.2% (95% CI, 35.13–41.00), 39.60% (95% CI, 38.24–41.77), and 36.89% (95% CI, 35.77–38.03), respectively. This study found that physical activity adherence rate was lower in socioeconomically disadvantaged metabolic syndrome patients, which may aggravate health inequity status of Korean society.

Effects of insufficient physical activity on mortality and life expectancy in Jiangxi province of China, 2007-2010.

BackgroundPhysical inactivity remains an under-researched field in terms of studying burden of disease at provincial level, and no studies have examined the effects of inactivity on life expectancy (LE) in China. The purpose of this study was to estimate mortality risk and LE effects associated with insufficient levels of physical activity in Jiangxi province.Methods/FindingsPrevalence of risk factors and mortality counts were extracted from Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Surveillance Survey (CDRFSS) and Disease Surveillance Points system (DSP), respectively. Insufficient physical activity (IPA) was defined as less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 60 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, accumulated across work, home, transport and discretionary domains. Population-attributable fractions (PAF) were used to calculate the mortality attributable to risk factors, and life table methods were used to estimate the LE gains and LE shifts. Monte Carlo simulation techniques were used for uncertainty analysis. Overall, 5 885 (95% uncertainly interval (UI), 5 047–6 506) and 8 578 (95% UI, 8 227–9 789) deaths in Jiangxi province were attributable to IPA in 2007 and 2010, respectively. The LE gains for elimination of attributable deaths were 0.68 (95% UI, 0.61–076) in 2007, and increased to 0.91 (95% UI, 0.81–1.10) in 2010. If the prevalence of IPA in 2010 had been decreased by 50% or 30%, 3 678 (95% UI, 3 220–4 229) or 2 090 (95% UI, 1 771–2 533) deaths would be avoided, and 0.40 (95% UI, 0.34–0.53) or 0.23 (95% UI, 0.16–0.31) years of LE gained, respectively.ConclusionsAdults in Jiangxi province of China have a high and increasing prevalence of IPA. Due to the deaths and potential LE gains associated with IPA, there is an urgent need to promote physical activity, one of the most modifiable risk factors, within China's health care reform agenda.

Abstract 5039: Physical activity is associated with improved quality of life in cancer survivors: A population-based analysis

Abstract Introduction: The CDC recommends cancer survivors engage in 150 minutes of moderate- or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, along with 2 sessions of strength training, every week. We sought to determine whether meeting these guidelines was correlated with improved quality of life in a large contemporary population-based sample of cancer survivors. Methods: Data regarding quality of life, physical activity and other covariates were obtained from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey, the largest source of health information of people in the United States. Quality of life was determined by the answer to the question, “In general, would you say your quality of life is…”, with potential responses of “excellent”, “very good”, “good”, “fair” and “poor”. Correlation between meeting CDC guidelines and self-reported quality of life was assessed with univariate and multivariate analyses using SUDAAN software. Results: A weighted total of 19,441,052 cancer survivors in the United States were included in this analysis. Only 10.4% of cancer survivors met physical activity guidelines. Meeting guidelines was significantly correlated with White race, young age, cancer type, higher education, and private insurance on univariate analysis (all p&amp;lt;0.01). Meeting guidelines was also correlated with decreased fatigue and higher self-reported quality of life, physical health, mental health status, and reported satisfaction with social activities and relationships (all p&amp;lt;0.01). On multivariate analysis controlling for race, age, sex, cancer type, education, and insurance, meeting physical activity guidelines remained significantly correlated with higher quality of life (OR=3.69, 95% CI: 1.2-11.6, p=0.03). Conclusions: Only 10.4% of cancer survivors meet physical activity guidelines. Meeting guidelines is significantly associated with improved quality of life, independent of other sociodemographic factors, and should therefore be encouraged. Multivariate analysis for “good-excellent” quality of lifeParameterOdds Ratio (95% CI)P-value Met physical activity guidelinesYes3.69 (1.2-11.6)0.03 No1.00RaceWhite1.000.34 Black0.84 (0.53-1.34)Asian0.42 (0.16-1.10)Hispanic0.96 (0.60-1.56Other0.48 (0.12-1.85)Age&amp;lt;401.000.01 40-600.58 (0.31-1.09&amp;gt;601.43 (0.70-2.89)SexMale1.000.07 Female1.48 (.97-2.27)Cancer typeBreast1.000.09 Cervical1.03 (0.49-2.19)Colorectal0.85 (0.42-1.71)Lung0.37 (0.17-.79)Lymphoma/Leukemia0.75 (0.34-1.65)Melanoma1.08 (0.47-2.48)Ovarian0.79 (0.19-3.22)Prostate1.59 (0.71-3.56)Thyroid0.42 (0.11-1.60)Uterine0.91 (0.44-1.86Other1.15 (0.73-1.84)Education level&amp;lt;Grade 121.00&amp;lt;0.01 High School Grad1.51 (1.02-2.23)Associate Degree2.82 (1.78-4.46)Bachelor's Degree4.83 (2.55-9.14)Master's Degree3.66 (1.64-8.16Professional/Doctorate6.31 (1.61-24.78)Insurance statusNone1.00&amp;lt;0.01 Medicare0.86 (0.41-1.78)Medicaid0.64 (0.32-1.28)Military0.56 (0.21-1.51Private3.08 (1.59-5.97) Citation Format: Apoorva Tewari, Melinda Irwin, Anees Chagpar. Physical activity is associated with improved quality of life in cancer survivors: A population-based analysis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5039. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5039

Are Patients Meeting the Updated Physical Activity Guidelines? Physical Activity Participation, Recommendation, and Preferences Among Inner-City Adults With Rheumatic Diseases

Physical activity (PA) improves the health of people with rheumatic diseases. Revised guidelines (published in the United States in 2008 and in the United Kingdom in 2011) recommend that adults complete 150 or more minutes of moderate-intensity PA or 75 or more minutes of vigorous-intensity PA (or equivalent) in bouts of 10 or minutes per week, yet whether people with rheumatic diseases meet these guidelines is unknown. This study evaluates the PA levels of adults with rheumatic diseases attending an inner-city hospital against the updated PA guidelines. It assesses respondents' PA preferences and the proportion who report ever receiving PA advice from a healthcare professional (HCP). Five hundred and eight patients (46% response rate) attending the general rheumatology clinics of an inner-city UK hospital completed the self-report International Physical Activity Questionnaire and 3 additional questions: "Has a doctor or other HCP ever suggested PA or exercise to help your arthritis or joint symptoms?" "Would you like help from your doctor or health service to become more physically active?" and "Which physical activities do you enjoy?" Overall, 61% of respondents met the updated PA guidelines, and 39% did not meet the guidelines. Forty-three percent of respondents reported ever receiving PA advice from an HCP, and 50% reported that they would "like help" to become more physically active. Walking was the most preferred PA (65%). Almost two-thirds of our respondents met the updated PA guidelines; however, many were entirely inactive. Recommending regular PA should be integral to rheumatic disease management, and walking offers a potentially accessible, inexpensive, and acceptable PA intervention.

Differences in physical activity patterns in patients with spondylarthritis

To study patient-reported physical activity in patients with spondylarthritis (SpA) and possible differences in physical activity patterns between the SpA subtypes and sexes. In 2009, a questionnaire including inquiries concerning physical activity was sent to patients with a SpA diagnosis (n = 3,711). The World Health Organization (WHO) global recommendations of physical activity for health requiring 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (MI-PA) or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity (VI-PA) per week were used as recommended levels. Standardized risk ratios (RRs) were calculated by using physical activity data from the Swedish population. The association within the SpA group between sex, age, disease-related variables, anxiety, and depression and meeting recommended levels of MI-PA and VI-PA (dependent variables) was studied with multivariate analysis. A total of 2,167 patients with SpA (48% men, mean ± SD age 55 ± 14 years) responded to the questionnaire. Sixty-eight percent of the patients met the WHO recommendations, more frequently in women than in men (70% versus 66%). The recommendations were more often met in the SpA group (RR 1.09, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.04-1.15) compared with the Swedish population. There was a tendency for young women to meet the WHO recommendations less often than the Swedish population (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.63-1.25). Different factors were found to influence whether the patients were exercising with a moderate or vigorous intensity. Seven of 10 patients with SpA met the WHO recommendations of physical activity for health, but we found sex and disease subtype differences. This information can be useful in clinical practice when coaching patients to have a healthier lifestyle.

Measures of Acculturation are Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Dietary Intakes, and Physical Activity in Older Chinese Americans in New York City

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and affects Chinese Americans disproportionately compared to other ethnic groups in the American population. Studies of immigrant populations have shown that risk factors for CVD, including diet and physical activity, differ by acculturation. This cross-sectional study evaluated whether two measures of acculturation (region of birthplace, length of residence in the U.S.) were associated with CVD risk factors, dietary intakes, and physical activity of 125 older Chinese Americans who participated in health fairs conducted in NYC. In this study, mean waist circumference differed significantly by birthplace. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure differed significantly by length of residence in the U.S. Mean intake of vitamin B6, folate and calcium differed significantly by birthplace: Chinese Americans from Hong Kong had the highest mean vitamin B6 intake whereas older Chinese Americans from Northern China had the highest folate and calcium intakes. Mean intake of riboflavin differed significantly by length of residence in the U.S. with Chinese Americans adults who lived in the U.S. less than 10 years having the highest mean intake. Mean dairy intake of Chinese Americans differed significantly by birthplace, with adults from northern China having the highest mean dairy intake. Vigorous-intensity physical activity differed significantly by birthplace, with adults from Hong Kong reporting the most daily minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity. This study suggests that acculturation may be associated with the cardiovascular health of older Chinese Americans living in NYC.

Prevalence of Meeting the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans among Adults With and Without Arthritis

In October 2008, the US Department of Health and Human Services released the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG), which defines the amount of physical activity (PA) needed to achieve health benefits. PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of meeting the PAG among adults with and without self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis (ARTH). METHODS: Using the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (n=23,393), minutes of vigorous intensity PA were translated into moderate-intensity-equivalent min/week (1 min vigorous = 2 min moderate). Active (ACT) was defined as at least 150 min/week of moderate-intensity equivalent PA. Insufficiently active (INSUF) was defined as some PA but not enough to meet ACT. Inactive (INACT) was defined as no moderate or vigorous-intensity PA for at least 10 minutes. Respondents reporting muscle strengthening activities 2+ days per week were classified as meeting the muscle strengthening (MS) PAG. Compliance with the overall PAG was defined as meeting both the aerobic and MS components. Prevalence estimates (%) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using statistical weights to account for the complex sample design. Significant (p<0.05) differences in prevalence was determined using Wald Chi-Square tests. Logistic regression (odds ratio=OR) assessed the association between ARTH and meeting the PAG. RESULTS: The prevalence of meeting recommendations was significantly lower for adults with ARTH (ACT=31.9%, CI 30.3-33.5; MS=15.6%, CI 14.4-16.9) compared to adults without ARTH (ACT=44.1%, CI 43.2-44.9; MS=20.9%, CI 20.2-21.7). The prevalence of INACT was significantly higher among those with ARTH (47.5% CI 45.9-49.2) versus without ARTH (36.9%, CI 36.1-37.7). Overall compliance with the PAG was low for both adults with (11.5%, CI 10.4-12.6) and without ARTH (17.8%, CI 17.1-18.5). Adults with ARTH were 40% (crude OR 0.60, CI 0.53-0.68) less likely to meet the PAG than those without ARTH. This relationship remained significant (adjusted OR 0.85, CI 0.72-1.00, p=0.04), after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and activity limitation. CONCLUSION: Only 1 in 10 adults with ARTH meet national PA guidelines. Expanding the reach of evidence-based, community-delivered PA programs may help adults with ARTH achieve recommended levels of PA.