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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
05:59
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Relationship between objective measures of physical activity and weather: a longitudinal study
Catherine B Chan1, Daniel A J Ryan, Catrine Tudor-Locke
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada. cchan@upei.ca
Summary
Weather conditions like temperature, rain, and wind have a modest impact on daily physical activity levels. These environmental factors can influence step counts, but the overall effect on activity is relatively small for most individuals.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Exercise Physiology
- Public Health
Background:
- The impact of weather on physical activity is often assumed but lacks objective data.
- Understanding weather's influence is crucial for promoting consistent physical activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively assess how temperature, precipitation (rain/snow), and wind speed affect adults' daily physical activity.
- To quantify the relationship between specific weather variables and physical activity levels.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 202 participants (25 males, 177 females) in a physical activity intervention.
- Measured daily steps using pedometers and obtained weather data from Environment Canada.
- Employed a mixed-effects linear model analysis on 8,125 observations.
Main Results:
- Identified significant weather variables affecting steps/day, including seasonal interactions, temperature, rainfall, and snow.
- Observed modest effects of weather on physical activity, ranging from 1% to 20% changes in daily steps.
- Weather-related reductions in physical activity could amount to approximately 2,000 steps for individuals aiming for 10,000 steps/day.
Conclusions:
- Weather exerts a modest influence on physical activity, particularly for those in activity-promoting programs.
- The impact of weather on physical activity may differ based on individual motivation levels.
- Further objective assessment is needed to fully understand weather's role as a barrier to physical activity in the general population.
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