[Characteristics of physical activity among adults in Lódz: results of pilot study]

Regular physical activity of sufficient frequency, duration and intensity plays an important role in health promotion and prevention of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess physical activity and capacity among adults in Lodz. This study was conducted in the group of 202 people including 101 women and 101 men (mean age 44.9 +/- 11.6 years old). Physical activity was determined by the interviewer-administrated Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall (SDPAR). Physical fitness was determined among 50 subjects by maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) measured during submaximal exercise test according to indirect Astrand-Rhyming method. Total weekly energy expenditure in this group was 274.8 +/- 60.6 kcal/kg/wk. The proportion of moderate energy expenditure on sport activities in mean total weekly energy expenditure (kcal/kg/week) was 3.7%. Almost half of the subjects (46.0%) reported 0.0 kcal/week energy expenditure on leisure time sport activities. The number of those who had from 1 to 499 kcal/week, 500 to 999 kcal/week, 1000 to 1999 kcal/week, 2000 or more kcal/week energy expenditure on sport was only 9.0%, 13.4%, 14.8%, 15.4% respectively. This study demonstrates that 70% of subjects did not achieve the level of physical activity recommended by experts in health promotion and prevention of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.