Measuring physical activity in midlife women

Area of Science:

• Exercise Science
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease risks are rising in women.
• Physical activity is known to mitigate these health risks.
• Accurate measurement of physical activity in women is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the validity of a retrospective survey questionnaire for measuring physical activity in middle-aged women.
• To compare occupational and leisure physical activity levels across different female occupational groups.
• To triangulate retrospective measures with a prospective beeper-cued activity record.

Main Methods:

• Administered four retrospective measures and a prospective beeper-cued record to 43 middle-aged women.
• Included participants from three occupational groups: teachers, clerical workers, and nurses.
• Analyzed data for construct validity and correlation between measurement approaches.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in occupational physical activity were found among the occupational groups.
• Clerical workers reported the lowest energy expenditure levels.
• The retrospective occupational measure correlated significantly with the prospective beeper-cued record.
• No significant correlation was found between the retrospective leisure measure and the beeper-cued record.

Conclusions:

• The retrospective survey is a valid tool for assessing occupational physical activity in women.
• Further research is needed to accurately measure women's leisure and household physical activities.