Chapter 10Chapter 10

Measuring Exercise,

Physical Activity, and Health

Describing/Prescribing ExerciseDescribing/Prescribing Exercise——Characteristics to SpecifyCharacteristics to Specify

• How often to exercise (frequency)How often to exercise (frequency)

• How long to exercise (duration)How long to exercise (duration)

• What type of exercise (mode)What type of exercise (mode)

• How hard to exercise (intensity)How hard to exercise (intensity)

How to Measure IntensityHow to Measure Intensity

• Measure heart rate:Measure heart rate:– Heart rate watchesHeart rate watches– EKGsEKGs

• Use the Borg rating of perceived Use the Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scaleexertion (RPE) scale

• Measure metabolic rate:Measure metabolic rate:– CalorimetryCalorimetry– Indirect spirometry calorimetryIndirect spirometry calorimetry– Other expressions of metabolic rateOther expressions of metabolic rate

Expressions of Metabolic RateExpressions of Metabolic Rate

• Kilocalories (Kcals): Kilocalories (Kcals): – Typical metabolic rate at rest: 1.25 Kcal/minTypical metabolic rate at rest: 1.25 Kcal/min– Recommended level of activity for health Recommended level of activity for health

benefits: 150benefits: 150–200 Kcals/day–200 Kcals/day

• Metabolic equivalents (METs)Metabolic equivalents (METs)– Multiples of the resting VOMultiples of the resting VO2 2 levellevel– One MET = 3.5mL • kg body weightOne MET = 3.5mL • kg body weight-1 -1 • min • min-1 -1

– A four-MET exercise intensity =A four-MET exercise intensity = 14 mL • kg14 mL • kg-1 -1 • min • min-1 -1

Selected Physical Activities in Selected Physical Activities in METsMETs

(adapted from Housh, 2006)(adapted from Housh, 2006)

Activity Activity Av. METs Av. METs

Playing basketballPlaying basketball 8.0 8.0Boxing/sparringBoxing/sparring 9.09.0Dancing (social)Dancing (social) 4.84.8FencingFencing 6.06.0Playing golfPlaying golf 4.54.5HikingHiking 7.07.0Ice skating Ice skating 7.0 7.0

Activity Activity Av. METs Av. METsJazzerciseJazzercise 6.0 6.0Jumping rope Jumping rope (moderately) 10.0(moderately) 10.0Running 8 m.p.h. 13.5Running 8 m.p.h. 13.5Snow skiingSnow skiing (downhill; moderate) 6.0(downhill; moderate) 6.0Tennis 7.0Tennis 7.0

Tools for Measuring Tools for Measuring Physical ActivityPhysical Activity

• PedometersPedometers

• AccelerometersAccelerometers

• Physical activity Physical activity surveyssurveys

SurveysSurveys

• Examples:Examples:– Seven-Day Physical Seven-Day Physical

Activity RecallActivity Recall– CARDIA Physical CARDIA Physical

Activity HistoryActivity History– Framingham Physical Framingham Physical

Activity IndexActivity Index

• What they try to What they try to determine:determine:– Frequency of activityFrequency of activity– Type of activityType of activity– DurationDuration– IntensityIntensity

Your ViewpointYour Viewpoint

• If you were developing a physical activity If you were developing a physical activity questionnaire for the other students in questionnaire for the other students in your class, what would you ask? your class, what would you ask?

• How would you evaluate the results? How would you evaluate the results?

• How could you determine objectivity, How could you determine objectivity, reliability, and validity?reliability, and validity?

• How would you alter the questionnaire for How would you alter the questionnaire for second-grade students?second-grade students?

Measuring HealthMeasuring Health

• Measuring key health indicators can Measuring key health indicators can identify potentially serious health identify potentially serious health conditions.conditions.

• Overall health assessment:Overall health assessment:– Physical activity and fitnessPhysical activity and fitness– Blood pressure, cholesterol, and body Blood pressure, cholesterol, and body

temperaturetemperature– NutritionNutrition

Sample Dietary Recall SurveySample Dietary Recall Survey

• On average, how many times per week do you On average, how many times per week do you eat a green salad?eat a green salad?

• How many times per week do you eat potatoes How many times per week do you eat potatoes (not including fries or potato chips)?(not including fries or potato chips)?

• How many times per week do you eat carrots?How many times per week do you eat carrots?• How many servings of vegetables (not including How many servings of vegetables (not including

salad, potatoes, or carrots) do you eat per week?salad, potatoes, or carrots) do you eat per week?• How many times per week do you drink fruit How many times per week do you drink fruit

juices?juices?• How many times per week do you eat fruit (rather How many times per week do you eat fruit (rather

than drink fruit juice)?than drink fruit juice)?

The Exercise PrescriptionThe Exercise Prescription

Before prescribing exercise, obtain Before prescribing exercise, obtain information to help make sure the client/ information to help make sure the client/ patient sticks to the exercise program:patient sticks to the exercise program:

• Medical status/health historyMedical status/health history• Fitness level/exercise historyFitness level/exercise history• Exercise preferences and interestsExercise preferences and interests• Exercise goalExercise goals

Physical Activity Readiness Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)Questionnaire (PAR-Q)

• A popular, practical method for A popular, practical method for screening a person’s readiness for screening a person’s readiness for exerciseexercise

• Go to: Go to: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/sth-evs/enghttp://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/sth-evs/english/parq.htmlish/parq.htm

Health Status QuestionnaireHealth Status Questionnaire

Health Status QuestionnaireHealth Status Questionnaire(continued)(continued)

Physical Activity Interests Physical Activity Interests and Preferences Surveyand Preferences Survey

• What exercises have you done in the past?What exercises have you done in the past?• Did you enjoy those forms of exercise?Did you enjoy those forms of exercise?• Why did you stop?Why did you stop?• What type of exercise sounds most appealing to What type of exercise sounds most appealing to

you now?you now?• Are you interested in socializing while you Are you interested in socializing while you

exercise?exercise?• Are you interested in competition?Are you interested in competition?• Are there any types of exercise that you already Are there any types of exercise that you already

know don’t appeal to you?know don’t appeal to you?

Your ViewpointYour Viewpoint

• Your father is worried because he has a Your father is worried because he has a family history of heart disease and thinks family history of heart disease and thinks he’s working too much, eating too much he’s working too much, eating too much junk food, and not exercising enough. junk food, and not exercising enough.

• What do you do to help him determine his What do you do to help him determine his readiness for a fitness program?readiness for a fitness program?