Unit 3 Physiological and Participatory Perspectives of Physical Activity

Chapter 1 National Physical Activity Guidelines & Methods of Assessing Physical Activity

Monitoring and Promotion of Physical Activity Assessment of Physical Activity & Sedentary Behaviour

Measuring Physical Activity Population Level Observe Trends over time How much is needed to be healthy Link Health to Exercise Evaluate program effectiveness Individual Level Detect change in health Detect change in behaviour Determine effect of change on behaviour SEDENTARY: Associated with low levels of energy expenditure, sitting for long periods of time, not moving around.

National Physical Activity Guidelines The Australian Department of Health and Ageing has produced a set of guidelines on the minimum levels of physical activity required for optimum health and body weight. They are not designed for high-level fitness or sports training, but are intended to provide realistic strategies for incorporating physical activity into our daily lives.

Age & Training Principles GroupFrequencyIntensityDurationType of Activity Child & Youth 7 daysModerate to Vigorous 60 min+Weight bearing / impact AdultMinimum of 5 days Moderate30 minAll types Obese7Low-moderate60 minAerobic

5-12 Year Olds

12-18 Year Olds

Adults

Older Adults (65 + age group) Recommendations to be released in Draft recommendations in 2007 below. 1. Older people should do physical activity no matter what their age, weight, health problems or abilities. 2. Older people should be active in many ways as possible, doing a range of physical activities that incorporate fitness, strength and balance. 3. Older people should accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most, preferably all days. 4. Older people who have stopped involvement in physical activity for more than several weeks, or who are starting a new physical activity, should start at the level that is easily manageable and gradually build up the amount, type and frequency of activity.

Which Activities Count as Exercise? Answer: They all do!

Domains of Physical Activity Domains Examples Leisure-time physical activityVarious types of activity; different surveys use generic or activity specific questions, and may ask details of activity frequency, duration and intensity. Gardening and yard workVarious definitions, of varied intensities; may range from light-intensity gardening to vigorous chores or digging/moving heavy objects. Household choresHeterogeneous set of tasks; large gender differences; energy expenditure across tasks not well understood. Active transportWalking or cycling for transportation. Occupational physical activityDiverse occupations, with changes in energy expended in many occupations over recent decades.

Need for and Benefits of Physical Activity National Physical Activity Guidelines & Methods of Assessing Physical Activity

The Need for Physical Activity Physical activity can be defined as ‘any body movement produced by the skeletal muscles that results in expenditure of energy’. Technology has lessened the need for human movement. It is now much easier to live, work and play as a result of technology. However, this reliance has made Australians more sedentary. Human movement is essential for the health and maintenance of our bodies. Sedentary lifestyles account for an estimated 1/3 of all deaths. The most common deaths include heart disease, colon cancer and diabetes. 30 minutes a day of activity has a range of health and social benefits.

How Active are Australians? National Physical Activity Guidelines & Methods of Assessing Physical Activity

How Active are We? Over 6.5 million Australians are active participants is sports 60% of men and 53% of women successfully achieve the recommended time and frequency to enjoy the benefits of physical activity However, frequency has declined since % of children participate in sport outside of school hours % of children and adolescents are overweight. Fewer older people were involved in sport than younger people Just of 50% of those aged were active participants

Adult Participation 57% of adults engage in sufficient physical activity for health benefits. However adult male participation is decreasing. Tertiary educated adults more active. Retiree participation rates are increasing due to recent health awareness programs. Most common activities (See table )

Adolescent Participation National Health Survey Findings 23% of adolescents don’t regularly participate in physical activity. Only one-third of adolescents participate in vigorous activity. Males more active than females. Adolescents are significantly more active during warmer months of the year.

Children’s Participation ABS findings 62% of children participate in organised sport. Boys had a higher participation than girls. Peak participation between years of age. Soccer is the most popular boys sport and netball for girls. Accelerometer findings 5-6 year old children average four hours of physical activity per day year olds only average 10 minutes.

Age and Gender

Sport Participation Rates

Barriers to Participation Gender - Greater proportions of males participate in sport and physical activity than females. Females generally have less opportunity and less access to sporting activities. Socioeconomic Status – Well educated white collar workers are the most physically active Australians. Income – People with higher incomes can participate in a wider variety of activities and more often. Race – People born in Australia are more active than those who were not. Race is often used as a form of discrimination, thus reducing participation. Geographic Location – Where you live can limit access to facilities and specific sports

Common Barriers to Participation Other Barriers Lack of time due to other commitments Lack of fun and enjoyment Lack of self-motivation Low self-efficiency Injury Lack of self-management skills Lack of encouragement and support Poor coaching Negative environmental factors

Barriers to Participation

Measuring levels of Physical Activity National Physical Activity Guidelines & Methods of Assessing Physical Activity

Metabolic Equivalent (MET) A way of measuring physical activity intensity is by the metabolic equivalent, or MET, level. Although the intensity of certain activities is commonly characterised as light, moderate, or vigorous, many activities can be classified in any one or all three categories simply on the basis of the level of personal effort involved in carrying out the activity (i.e. how hard one is working to do the activity). For example, one can bicycle at intensities ranging from very light to very vigorous.

METs Physical activities at different levels of effort can be compared using the metabolic equivalent (MET). This unit is used to estimate the amount of oxygen used by the body during physical activity (Ainsworth et al., 1993). 1 MET = the energy (oxygen) used by the body as you sit quietly, perhaps while talking on the phone or reading a book 3.5ml/kg/min of O 2 The harder your body works during the activity, the higher the MET. Any activity that burns 3 to 6 METs is considered moderate-intensity physical activity. Any activity that burns > 6 METs is considered vigorous-intensity physical activity.

MET Values ActivityMET VALUE Using a computer1.5 Vacumming3.5 Kayaking5 Mowing Lawn5.5 Soccer7 Firefighting12

Measuring Physical Activity Measuring the amount of physical activity is a complex procedure. Information collected needs to address the types of activities, frequency, intensity and duration. Physical activity covers many domains. Why measure our levels of activity? Document how active our population is Gives feedback on government health programs An active nation is a healthy nation Study the factors that influence our participation