Young women's physical activity from one year to the next: What changes? What stays the same?

The Majority of women do not meet recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines. Assessment on changes in PA patterns among young, healthy US women was therefore performed. PA changes were assessed from self-reported PA at baseline (year 1) and follow-up (year 2). Participants [N=127] aged 18-30 years had completed a randomized controlled aerobics trial. A two-sample test of proportions tested the sample changes in PA; a paired t test assessed the within-person changes. A multivariate logistic regression model assessed the demographic predictors of meeting PA levels in year 2 (6 months post-intervention). Women who met the recommended PA used a combination of leisure and lifestyle PA at both timepoints. In year 2, attaining the recommended PA levels through leisure-time PA increased, while work-related and active transit PA decreased. Leisure-time physical activity at moderate and vigorous levels of intensity is recommended to ensure that young women meet the recommended PA levels and obtain health benefits.