scholarly journals Are Exercise Referral Schemes Associated With an Increase in Physical Activity? Observational Findings Using Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis From the National Referral Database

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 621-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikita Rowley ◽  
James Steele ◽  
Matthew Wade ◽  
Robert James Copeland ◽  
Steve Mann ◽  
...  

Objectives: To examine if exercise referral schemes (ERSs) are associated with meaningful changes in physical activity in a large cohort of individuals throughout England, Scotland, and Wales from The National Referral Database. Methods: Data were obtained from 5246 participants from 12 different ERSs, lasting 6–12 weeks. The preexercise referral scheme and changes from the preexercise to the postexercise referral scheme in self-reported International Physical Activity Questionnaire scores were examined. A 2-stage individual patient data meta-analysis was used to generate the effect estimates. Results: For the pre-ERS metabolic equivalent (MET) minutes per week, the estimate (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 676 MET minutes per week (539 to 812). For the change in MET minutes per week, the estimate (95% CI) was an increase of 540 MET minutes per week (396 to 684). Changes in the total PA levels occurred as a result of increases in vigorous activity of 17 minutes (95% CI, 9 to 24), increases in moderate activity of 29 minutes (95% CI, 22 to 36), and reductions in sitting of −61 minutes (95% CI, −78 to −43), though little change in walking (−5 min; 95% CI, −14 to 5) was found. Conclusions: Most participants undergoing ERSs are already “moderately active.” Changes in PA behavior associated with participation are through increased moderate to vigorous PA and reduced sitting. However, this was insufficient to change the International Physical Activity Questionnaire category, and the participants were still “moderately active.”

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin P. Shook ◽  
Nicole C. Gribben ◽  
Gregory A. Hand ◽  
Amanda E. Paluch ◽  
Gregory J. Welk ◽  
...  

Background:Subjective measures of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) rely on relative intensity whereas objective measures capture absolute intensity; thus, fit individuals and unfit individuals may perceive the same activity differently.Methods:Adults (N = 211) wore the SenseWear Armband (SWA) for 10 consecutive days to objectively assess sedentary time and MVPA. On day 8, participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to subjectively assess sitting time and MVPA. Fitness was assessed via a maximal treadmill test, and participants were classified as unfit if the result was in the bottom tertile of the study population by sex or fit if in the upper 2 tertiles.Results:Overall, estimates of MVPA between the IPAQ and SWA were not significantly different (IPAQ minus SWA, 67.4 ± 919.1 MVPA min/wk, P = .29). However, unfit participants overestimated MVPA using the IPAQ by 37.3% (P = .02), but fit participants did not (P = .99). This between-group difference was due to overestimation, using the IPAQ, of moderate activity by 93.8 min/wk among the unfit individuals, but underestimation of moderate activity among the fit participants by 149.4 min/wk.Conclusion:Subjective measures of MVPA using the IPAQ varied by fitness category; unfit participants overestimated their MVPA and fit participants accurately estimated their MVPA.


2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youngdeok Kim ◽  
Ilhyeok Park ◽  
Minsoo Kang

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to use a meta-analytic approach to examine the convergent validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).DesignSystematic review by meta-analysis.SettingThe relevant studies were surveyed from five electronic databases. Primary outcomes of interest were the product-moment correlation coefficients between IPAQ and other instruments. Five separate meta-analyses were performed for each physical activity (PA) category of IPAQ: walking, moderate PA (MPA), total moderate PA (TMPA), vigorous PA (VPA) and total PA (TPA). The corrected mean effect size (ESρ) unaffected by statistical artefacts (i.e. sampling error and reliability) was calculated for each PA category. Selected moderator variables were length of IPAQ (i.e. short and long form), reference period (i.e. last 7 d and usual week), mode of administration (i.e. interviewer and self-reported), language (i.e. English and translated) and instruments (i.e. accelerometer, pedometer and subjective measure).SubjectsA total of 152 ESρ across five PA categories were retrieved from twenty-one studies.ResultsThe results showed small- to medium-sized ESρ (0·27–0·49). The highest value was observed in VPA while the lowest value was found in MPA. The ESρ were differentiated by some of the moderator variables across PA categories.ConclusionsThe study shows the overall convergent validity of IPAQ within each PA category. Some differences in degree of convergent validity across PA categories and moderator variables imply that different research conditions should be taken into account prior to deciding on use of the appropriate type of IPAQ.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikita Rowley ◽  
James Steele ◽  
Matthew Wade ◽  
Robert J. Copeland ◽  
Steven Mann ◽  
...  

Background: Exercise referral schemes (ERSs) within clinical populations offer inactive individuals the opportunity to increase physical activity levels over the length of scheme. Schemes are also intended to support the treatment of specific health conditions of medically referred individuals through increased physical activity behaviours. The extant literature concerning the impact of exercise referral on physical activity levels is inconsistent. It is of interest researchers, policy makers, commissioners and practitioners to to consider broadly whether meaningful change in physical activity levels are observed in people who undergo exercise referral, to identify potential effective policy actions in supporting active living. Purpose: To examine if ERSs increase physical activity levels in a large cohort of individuals throughout England, Scotland and Wales from The National Referral Database. Method: Data were obtained from 5246 participants from 12 different referral schemes. Average age was 53±15 years and, 68% of participants were female. Participants self-reported International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) scores pre- and post- scheme, to determine if exercise referral had any impact on change in physical activity levels. Two stage individual patient data meta-analysis was performed on the both pre-ERS, and change scores, (i.e. post- minus pre-ERS scores) for MET-minutes/week calculated from IPAQ. Analyses were conducted on the continuous data collected using the IPAQ. Results: For pre-ERS MET-minutes/week the estimate and 95%CI from random effects model was 676 MET-minutes/week [539 to 812 minutes]. For change in MET-minutes/week the estimate and 95%CI from random effects model for was an increase of 540 MET-minutes/week [396 to 684 minutes]. Significant heterogeneity was evident among the schemes (I2 > 80%). Changes in total PA levels occurred as a result of increases in vigorous activity of 17 minutes [95%CI 9 to 24 minutes], increases in moderate activity of 29 minutes [95%CI 22 to 36 minutes], and reductions in sitting of -61 minutes [95%CI -78 to -43 minutes], though little change in walking (-5 minutes [95%CI -14 to 5 minutes]). Conclusion: Observation of participants undergoing ERSs suggests that most are already ‘moderately active’ upon entering an ERS. Changes in physical activity behaviour associated with ERS participation were varied and primarily facilitated by increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and reduced sitting. However, this was not sufficient to result in IPAQ categorical change and participants where thus on average still classed as ‘moderately active’. Further work is required to ensure ERSs are implemented to targeting the appropriate populations where they may result in the greatest benefit.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 446
Author(s):  
Anna Rutkowska ◽  
Katarzyna Kacperak ◽  
Sebastian Rutkowski ◽  
Luisa Cacciante ◽  
Pawel Kiper ◽  
...  

The lockdown with a prohibition of free mobility introduced in many countries has affected restrictions in physical activity (PA). The purpose of the study was to compare PA during restrictions and the “unfreezing” stage. The study group consisted of 89 healthy adult students. To assess the level of PA, a long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used. The first evaluation was carried out in the period from 16 to 20 April 2020 at the time of the lockdown and the second in the period from 11 to 14 May 2020 during the so-called “unfreezing”. The average total PA rate during the first measurement was 8640 metabolic equivalent (MET)-min/week and in the second, 10,560 MET-min/week. The analysis of total energy expenditure showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.029). The establishment of “unfreezing” laws for sport and recreation and the reduction of restrictions have significantly contributed to an increase in the overall level of PA. Based on our outcomes, we recommend students follow the scientific guidelines for undertaking PA (i.e., WHO) during the pandemic in order to maintain an appropriate pro-healthy dose of exercise.


Author(s):  
Kaja Meh ◽  
Gregor Jurak ◽  
Maroje Sorić ◽  
Paulo Rocha ◽  
Vedrana Sember

Current lifestyles are marked by sedentary behaviour; thus, it is of great importance for policymaking to have valid and reliable tools to measure sedentary behaviour in order to combat it. Therefore, the aim of this review and meta-analysis is to critically review, assess, and compile the reliability, criterion validity, and construct validity of the single-item sedentary behaviour questions within national language versions of most commonly used international physical activity questionnaires for adults in the European Union: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. A total of 1749 records were screened, 287 full-text papers were read, and 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results and quality of studies were evaluated by the Quality Assessment of Physical Activity Questionnaires checklist. Meta-analysis indicated moderate to high reliability (rw = 0.59) and concurrent validity (rw = 0.55) of national language versions of single-item sedentary behaviour questions. Criterion validity was rather low (rw = 0.23) but in concordance with previous studies. The risk of bias analysis highlighted the poor reporting of methods and results, with a total bias score of 0.42. Thus, we recommend using multi-item SB questionnaires and smart trackers for providing information on SB rather than single-item sedentary behaviour questions in physical activity questionnaires.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pongrác Ács ◽  
Réka Veress ◽  
Paulo Rocha ◽  
Tamás Dóczi ◽  
Bence László Raposa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Physical inactivity is a global phenomenon in European welfare countries. Proper monitoring is essential to measure the physical activity level of the population. Methods In the Hungarian cohort of the European Physical Activity and Sport Monitoring System (EUPASMOS) project, our participants (N = 598) completed sociodemographic questions and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – short form (IPAQ-SF) survey. The validity and reliability of the subjective measurement tool were examined, IPAQ-SF outcomes were contrasted against triaxial RM42 accelerometer wore for 7 consecutive days. Results The IPAQ-SF showed moderate internal consistency (Cronbach Alpha = 0.647). The concurrent validity of the IPAQ-SF to triaxial accelerometer indicated a significant weak-to-moderate correlation (R = 0.111–0.338, p = 0.042; p < 0.001). The test-retest reliability showed a significant correlation between two measurements (R = 0.788–0.981, p < 0.001). Conclusion The Hungarian version of the IPAQ-SF had excellent test-retest reliability, but low-to-fair concurrent validity for moderate and vigorous physical activity, walking and sitting time, as compared to the objective criterion measure among Hungarian adults.


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