Purpose: This longitudinal pilot study examined whether daily calendar recording of physical activities increased maintenance of regular physical activity in a community sample of working women. Methods: Forty-nine working women who were involved in regular self-selected physical activity were randomly assigned at the work site level to the control (n=24) or intervention group (n=24). Hierarchical data analysis was used to account for intraclass correlations within work site. At pretest and posttest subjects completed self-report questionnaires that measured psychological, social-environmental, physical activity, and demographic variables. Daily during the 12-week study all subjects wore pedometers that recorded number of steps. The intervention group recorded daily physical activities, while the control group did not. Results: Mean age was 41.4 (SD=8.8), the majority were married (82%), and 47% had no children living at home. Racial identification was primarily Caucasian (86%). There were no significant differences between intervention and control groups on pretest variables. However, there was a significant difference between groups in the pedometer values (mean number of daily steps) at the end of the study period (mean difference + SE: 2147+636, p=0.022). Multiple regression analysis showed only the intervention (p=0.003) and changes in value expectations over the study period (p=0.031) were significant predictors of the pedometer values. Conclusion: Maintenance of regular physical activity is an important primary and secondary prevention behavior. Daily calendar recording is a cost-effective, acceptable method to increase maintenance in women who have started a program of regular physical activity.
Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize the significance of maintenance of regular physical activity. 2. Describe the use of daily physical activity records. 3. Evaluate the results of the study for community or clinical settings
Keywords: Physical Activity, Women
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.