Increasing rates of physical activity assessment and counseling of clients among Kentucky advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if increases in percent of inactive clients offered physical activity counseling by Kentucky ARNPs from 2001 (59.3%) to 2007 (75.6%) was due to changes in educational attainment and/or how the ARNPs learned the importance of physical activity.

Method: The same assessment and counseling questionnaire was mailed to Kentucky ARNPs in April 2001 (N=1,291) and October 2007 (N=1,952). The questionnaire included demographic data, education level, practice patterns and avenues used to learn about the importance of regular physical activity.

Findings: Nurses utilized physiologic methods (percent body fat [p=0.0382]; tests of physical performance [p=0.0194]) more frequently to assess physical activity in 2007, compared to 2001. In addition, educational levels rose in ARNPs from 2001 to 2007, and the way they learned the importance of physical activity changed over time. While the way ARNPs learned the importance is significant (p<0.001), educational attainment was not significant (p=0.7235). ARNPs reported discordance between their own physical activity levels; in 2001 67% reported they met recommended guidelines, yet only 19.7% categorized their physical activity level at moderate or vigorous, while 67.1% in 2007 reported they met recommended guidelines and only 25.3% categorized their level at moderate or above.

Discussion: Kentucky continues to have one of the highest levels of physical inactivity. Methods to increase physical activity are significant to the health of the population. Establishing what influences increased physical activity assessment among ARNPs is warranted. Our analysis suggests points of intervention to increase physical activity assessment among ARNPs.